MASTERCASTLE – On Fire (2013)
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Hailing from Italy, MASTERCASTLE were founded in January 2008 by guitar player Pier Gonella (Athlantis, ex-Labyrinth) and female singer Giorgia Gueglio. Since then they have released 3 full-length albums very well accepted by the metal community.
I didn’t dig their mixture of neo-classical and some Power Metal from the previous recordings, but their brand new CD “On Fire” is a completely different story.
Fortunately, Matercastle has changed their musical approach to a much more melodious rockin’ style, still retaining neo-classical influences in some instrumentation (specially the solos) and the edgy vibe, but never sounding harsh or too heavy.
Led by the now more polished yet powerful vocals of Gueglio and Gonella’s amazing fret work, “On Fire” marks the first release from Mastercastle with one of the world’s most respected drummers; John Macaluso (Ark, Yngwie, James LaBrie). This new addition has given the band a solid backbone not only thanks to Macaluso’s great fills, but also in the overall sound.
“On Fire” it’s a worthy title: every song here will burn up your speakers with rocking melodic songs. You’ll note that the compositions have some metal or reference to metal in the title, but that’s just for pure entertainment value.
Except the speedy “Quicksilver” which is powerful and fast with superb neo-classical shredding solos, the rest of the album is really melodic accentuated by Gueglio’s vocal arrangements.
There’s notable burning rockers in the catchy “Silver Eyes”, the groovy “Leaden Roads”, “Platinum” (featuring Giorgia’s most haunting vocals) and the hugely addictive mid-tempo “Chains”. “Gold Violet” is a charming ballad in the good old-fashioned way and again I should mention a great solo.
There are two splendid instrumentals: “The Final Battle” featuring varied licks and arpeggios, and a really interesting interpretation of Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata titled “Almost A Fantasy” more emphasized on emotion and musicality than on mere virtuosism.
With “On Fire” Mastercastle finally has impressed my melodic ears with a bunch of very well crafted rocking songs.
Pier Gonella is a talented guitar virtuoso in the Vinnie Moore style, and this time has privileged the melodies over the pyrotechnics which benefits the ‘song format’ in this new Mastercastle musical approach.
Giorgia Gueglio’s voice is instantly likeable, more clean and flexible than never. The album lacks keyboards but thanks to Steve Wavamas noticeable bass work each gap is filled with his warm middle range sound, joined by John Macaluso’s mastery adding powerful and neat drums.
With a polished production and a proper length (around 40 min.) “On Fire” rocks solid and in a quite melodic, enjoyable way.
01 – Silver Eyes
02 – Chains
03 – Platinum
04 – Quicksilver
05 – Gold Violet
06 – The Final Battle
07 – Leaden Roads
08 – Titanium Wings
09 – Almost A Fantasy
Giorgia Gueglio – vocals
Pier Gonella – guitars
Steve Vawamas – bass
John Macaluso – drums
BUY IT !
www.amazon.co.uk/Fire-Mastercastle/dp/B00BCS2TQC
