From their website, “We’re thrilled to announce that our new album, “Veils of Illumination,” will be released on December 6th. This eight-track album takes you on a journey through themes of self-discovery and enlightenment, with intricate arrangements, heavy riffs and emotional depth.” The album has eight songs, and “Heart’s Resonance” is first. Piano leads the charge, leading to a study, melodic guitar riff with keyboards in tow. Valerio has an exemplary voice, and the music pulses with energy. There is a big hook in the chorus as well as some Progressive elements, and there is indeed a lot of emotional depth.

“Canvas of Souls” has a good mix of light and dark elements. The darker ones provide some bite, and some aggression, while the lighter ones keep the sound firmly rooted in melody. If that guitar solo doesn’t get you, nothing will. “Blades of Inner Battles” has a rougher riff but the song is still tinged with energy. The band rides out a melody line like a surfer on a big wave. There are both key and meter shifts in the song that transition so neatly and melodically, you hardly even notice them. “The Quest Within” is another song pulsing with and unbridled energy and will that just seems unbreakable. It pushes you on a forward path and each time you stumble, it sets your feet forward once again.

“Whisper of the Ancients” features some very skilled piano playing, and it has that kind of tender sound that just fills the listener with warmth. The emotions keep coming, and they grow overtop of one another, until a final satisfying crescendo. “Altar of the Self” harnesses the energy back into the crunchy guitar riff, speckled with piano and keys, as well as some very emotional vocal harmonies. The 21-minute opus titled “Eightfold Path” closes the album, and how the band takes twists and turns from the main melody but always find their way home is amazing to me. I get some nods to DREAM THEATER here, and it encompasses just about every emotion known to humans. It showcases, among other things, the band’s deep level of songwriting and instrumental prowess.

Overall, this is another fantastic album from these seasoned musical veterans. Perhaps what impresses me most is their ability to always look forward when composing a new album, and this one is no exception. They have the perfect blend of melody, depth in songwriting, and out of this world musicianship.