With “Espresso Della Vita: Lunare,” MAESTRICK aim to redefine the Progressive metal boundaries. The number of high-quality arrangements, musical abilities and influences that the band infused in the new album created the most fresh and exciting album of the genre in years. With a malicious, dark, heavy and sarcastic approach, MAESTRICK deliver adult themes like addictions, racial prejudice, abuse, the holocaust and much more. It is a very emotional album, with deep reflections about what really matters in our journey/life. Thus, in the last song, the aged character gets off the train and his name, Dante, is revealed.”

The album has 12 songs, and “A Very Weird Beginning” is first; a short intro that leads to the first proper song titled “Upside Down.” It has a weighted bottom end, but the vocal harmonies keep it in the air. Within the first few minutes, the band displays a seasoned sense of musicianship as well, and the music swings with a  distinct pattern. There is a bit of darkness here as well. “Ghost Casino” also has a distinctive groove to it, and I am reminded of the over the top bombast of a band like QUEEN, especially in the playful and at times sweeping compositional arrangements. “Sunflower Eyes” has gentle and pretty piano tones, with melodic vocals in tow. This is a very catchy song, and perhaps, an ode to love. Talk about cinematic, this song is as grand as any that I have heard this year, and if the emotions don’t grab you, you might be dead.

“Dance of Hadassah” begins with dark, tense tones, and you can hear the story unfold. Somber strings and piano notes carry the sound forward on a breeze, and the vocals are quite charming. “Agbara” has much heavier tones out of the gate, and the combination of guitars, vocals, and chewy bass notes has a marching quality to it. There is plenty of melody within the thick and intricate guitar work as well. This band is not short on talent…that much is evident. “Lunar Vortex” has a hardened, crunchy riff and a deep, rich sound. We also hear the first advent of harsh vocals, and they work very well with the weight of the sound. Fabio also reaches deep to highlight some incredible vocals here.

“Ethereal” has a nice balance between aggression and melody, and the notes in the chorus take off and soar into the canopy. The sheer amount of their blood, sweat, and tears that are poured into the music makes for a very emotional listening experience. The lengthy “The Last Station” closes the album; an 18-minute opus. One of the things that I can comment on after my listen is that it doesn’t feel like that long of a song…the connections are seamless, and the band navigates many key changes and sound elements with ease. It also caps the album with a positive feeling of leaving something behind…it can be difficult to let go, but they remind you that the clean break is good for your soul.

In sum, their musicianship is out of bounds, ridiculous, and off the charts. The songs themselves are rich tapestries of musical energy, almost like a ball of fire that seems to gain steam with each cycle its roll. There are warm messages of happiness, hope, and an undeniable positive spin on life. This is an album that can lift you up when you are not feeling so amenable to life. Sit back, play it, and end the listening experience with a smile.