MIND KEY – Aliens In Wonderland (2019)
“MKIII – Aliens In Wonderland” marks the return of one of the most gifted Italian progressive metal outfits to the scene after a nine year absence; MIND KEY. Formed in Napoli in 1999 by Dario De Cicco (keyboards) and Emanuele Colella (guitars), the two wanted to create a band that melded the sound of bands like Dream Theater, Symphony X and Evergrey with a songwriting approach inspired by ’80 / ’90s hard rock style.
Mind Key released their debut album Journey Of A Rough Diamond in 2004 on the Frontiers label. The band played various gigs in support of the album’s release, including shows with Dream Theater, Vision Divine, and Pendragon, among others.
They then began work on their second album, Pulse for a Graveheart . Released in 2009, the album saw the band refining their songwriting approach and introduced their new singer, Aurelio Fierro. Fierro was truly able to showcase his vocal potential on the album, which can be described as a powerful mix of Ronnie James Dio, David Coverdale, and Jorn Lande.
Pulse for a Graveheart grew the band’s fanbase along with touring for the album which included shows with Edguy, Vanden Plas, Europe, and Hammerfall.
However, the band went on an unexpected hiatus afterwards. “On one hand, you could say the delay was because we simply took the right time to write the songs and work harder on the arrangements and final product,” says Dario De Cicco “but on the other hand, we also had to face some lineup changes and with Emanuele and Lucio moving abroad for some time things became more complicated.
I also had to face a severe illness in 2014, but I overcame the hurdle and I’m stronger than ever right now! Aurelio also spent some time with “The Voice” Italy TV show, which cause further delays.
So, quite a lot of things happened, but our motivation and desire to accomplish this musical mission we began got the better of us and here we are!” The band is joined on this album by new members bassist Lucio Grilli (ex-Soul Secret) and drummer Mirko De Maio (The Flow).
This should be Mind Key’s most commercial album to date, groovy and pretty catchy, while eleaborated and intriguing.
Highly Recommended
01 – Alien in Wonderland
02 – Hank (The Blazing Eyes)
03 – Hate at First Sight
04 – Angry Men
05 – Hands off Cain
06 – Be Polar
07 – Oblivion
08 – Psycho World
09 – Vertigo (Where the Cold Wind Blows)
10 – Pure He/art
11 – Non-Existence
Aurelio Fierro Jr. – Vocals
Dario De Cicco – Piano & Keyboards
Emanuele Colella – Guitars
Lucio Grilli – Bass
Mirko De Maio – Drums
Pre Order:
www.amazon.co.uk/Aliens-Wonderland-Mind-Key/dp/B07QDC7G8M
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