Italian bands really have many features that are different from bands from other countries. If you hear a Heavy Metal, Thrash Metal, Black Metal or Symphonic Metal band from Italy, you'll understand my words. There's a difference, a subjective feature in the country that makes their works great. These same words are applied in the case of "Gemini", the new album from the quintet TOTHEM.

Some descriptions label their work as Gothic Metal, but personally, I don't believe in labels, and Gothic Metal lesser than the others (by the Gods, it's not because it's sang by female voices that something can be called Gothic). It's an elegant and heavy form of Heavy Metal with beautiful and tender moments with introspective melodies, and some modern touches here and there on their songs. It's very good and personal, where the Italian spirit speaks louder than anything else. It's also extremely different from what you heard before.

The sound quality is really good. It sounds clean and heavy in the same proportions and the band's orchestrations can be in a fine and defined way. Yes, their music has an elegance and heavy weight due the good work on the production. But their work deserves a better quality in some moments. The best moments of the album are: The heavy and catchy grasp of "Gemini" (it sound modern and heavy, but with excellent melodic lines on keyboards and guitars), the very good accessible melodies heard on "Die a Thousands Lives" (and a great work from vocals as well), the beautiful and intense feeling that fills "Legacy" (another great moment from vocals and keyboards), the very good work from bass guitar and drums on the excellent "Liar" (the contrast between heavy and climatic moments is really good), the opera vocals used on "L'essenza" (where the moments of clean guitars are amazing, even with a good solo), and the very good guitars on "The Rains of Castamere". But pay attention to all tracks, because their work is really good.