Lucky number seven strikes again. Maybe it is a personal plan especially for me to stumble upon acts that made their presence known again after a period of seven years? I guess it isn't, but it is a fine coincidence as I usually choose in random. With a turn of 180 degrees, we are back in the fold, back to where we belong. One of Italy's finest melodic Metal exports, LABYRINTH, reactivated following a long while of silence, far too long for such a prominent act. Signed to the local iconic label Frontiers Records, "Architecture Of A God" was released with a powerful blessing, a positive sign of a band that is here to stay. At least that is what I hope for them.

I remember watching Roberto Tiranti, the band's vocalist, performing with the renowned Ken Hensley (ex-URIAH HEEP) as bass / vocals. First it was a surprise as I never expected him to be in the lineup. Second, I asked myself what the hell is going on with his major band? I actually asked him after the show, and he told me that there is something going under wraps, soon to be revealed. Since then, it took another 1.5 years and here we are. So why did I mention Tiranti's recent endeavor with Ken Hensley?

Well, while listening to "Architecture Of A God" it came to me that his part in the songwriting might have been influenced with his time with Hensley, and I found various of similarities in Metal form, which contributed to the album's quality. "Architecture Of A God" is immensely harmonic, probably LABYRINTH's most melodic effort to date. It is hard not to admire the elegant show of force of the lead guitar section, that never ceased to amaze. Andrea Cantarelli and Olaf Thörsen have been shredding since forever and it would appear that nothing could stop them and their creativity immaculate. The three recent additions to the band in the keyboards, bass and drums sections also proved themselves, in particular ex-VISION DIVINE / ex-ELDRITCH, Giacomo Biagini aka Oleg Smirnoff, assembling a spectacular layer along with strong lead roles. As for Tiranti, for me will always be Rob Tyrant, I am at loss of words, amazing as always.

Furthermore, the album serves as a graceful leap into the progressive end of Metal music, which is also a sign of yet another step backwards from the band's Power Metal legacy of the late 90s and 00's. Don't dare to find it as oblivious, as the essence of this group still has the energies of the past, yet with a clear vision of going forward. Therefore, in a way, there is much maturity in the songwriting, very diverse but also memorable, not bound by any current trend or obvious direction. I found it to be just plain honest with an attempt to take hold of vast musical grounds, turning its gaze into a variety of listeners within the Rock and Metal spectrums. Hence, "Architecture Of A God" stands side by side with latest efforts of acts such as the bombastic VISION DIVINE or masterful PAGAN'S MIND for that matter.

My top tunes out of this one are "We Belong to Yesterday" and "Stardust and Ashes", clearly showing the integration of the band's magical past with their current creative efforts. "Take On My Legacy" is a sort of a blast from the past while "A New Dream" is the future front of Power Metal. Notice that the titles of the two mentioned songs actually go side by side with their music, just a small anecdote. The self-titled song is a bag of tricks, constructive and complex, yet still flows with a harmonic vision that seems to be endless.

There is enough on this album to cause you to become a fan. These guys are recommendable veterans that never seem to tire, and each step they make is a promise within Metal music. Don't hesitate to listen to this one even for a second.