I am not an educated or learned man, most of my history is learned from TV, and my knowledge of mythology comes from comics, so not reliable sources.  Step up Heavy Metal music.  I think I've learned more history and the classics from the likes of IRON MAIDEN, SABATON, SAXON and the like than any scholarly institute.  And Italian Progressive/Heavy Metal band SPIDKILZ are adding to my education.

Formed in 2010 by Elisa "Over" DePalmer, "Threads Are Breaking" is the bands 2^nd long player. All the tracks are related to Greek mythology.  A concept record I hear you cry!  Possibly, certainly the tracks are thematically linked. From the opening track "Gea" (The Goddess of all life, Mother Earth) the album sets out its stall as classy heavy metal, bordering on thrash sensibilities, with crystal clear sound, more MAIDEN than SLAYER.  Bass being a very forward in the mix, as it is with the IRONS, but Michele Barillaro has a very different style, but I like a lot of bass, so I am happy on that count.  As I am with the sound in general.  The lead Bass break in "Ares" is brilliant.

A word about the vocals.  Elisa has a very distinctive vocal delivery, which suits the style of music very well, able to be metal, an well as operatic where required.  I will probably be shot down for this, but at times I get a touch of Geddy Lee in her sound.  Listen to "Kronos" and "Dionysos" to illustrate how versatile he voice is.  However the band match her every step of the way.  The guitar sound throughout shows a lot of versatility and flare where needed, and raw power if required.

Closing track "Threads Are Breaking" is also the title track, and is as close to a straight ahead metal song as we get.  Although not names after a figure from mythology, the link is still there.  In many mythologies the fates of all are like skeins of wool and interwoven where persons interact with each other.  But if the threads are broken, that life is changed or ended!

This is a very good album, the "concept" if we should call it that works in this context.  The analogy with IRON MAIDEN is there, the prominent bass, the twin guitar sound (and before anyone pipes up and says they employ a triple guitar attack, they didn't always), all over a strong drummer.  But Elisa is no air-raid siren like Bruce. The way both bands can tell a story is what makes them similar, but distinctive.

Now if I can only find a band to teach me how to do my tax return?