As the Italian Metal became worldly known for early RHAPSODY OF FIRE albums, the commercial success of them created a bridge for many Italian bands to be heard by Metalheads. Many good bands appeared on those days in the second half of the 90's, and contemporarily to the pioneers is another seminal band: LABŸRINTH. And here the sextet is with their ninth (and latest) album, "Welcome to the Absurd Circus".

Their musical work (for those that aren't introduced to their music) is a classical mix between Prog Metal with Melodic Power Metal, heavy and strong, enriched by classical ambiences of keyboards, some broken tempos, and a set of catchy melodies that are really amazing. Although some Italian refinements on their technical arrangements and fast Power Metal tempos sometimes, their songs are easy to be swallowed by the listeners, and heavy a grasping energy aligned with a very good dose of weight and aggressiveness. Yes, this album is really great!

Simone Mularoni recorded, mixed, mastered, and co-produced "Welcome to the Absurd Circus", and he created a crystalline sonority that allows the band to express their musical ideas with the right balance between weight, aggressiveness and clarity. And the experience of the band appears clearly on the choice for defined and clean instrumental tunes.

For a first hearing, the heavy and melodic appeal of "The Absurd Circus" (excellent chorus and amazing vocals), the contrasts between fast tempos and Prog Metal lysergic parts heard on "Live Today" (a great work on bass guitar and drums and fine keyboards can be heard as well), the elegant appeal of "One Last More Chance", the fine Prog Metal melodies and backing vocals heard on "As Long as It Last", the deep and melodic guitar's work heard on "World's Minefield", the technical contrasts of "The Unexpected" and "Sleepwalker", and the expressive harmonies of "Finally Free" are the ones. More than that wouldn't be fair with the other songs of such a great album.

Yes, LABŸRINTH did it again, and created a masterpiece. Hear "Welcome to the Absurd Circus" and check how they still keep the old flame burning alive