Evolution: Creatio ex Nihilio

It's a pleasure to talk about this band, these fantastic musicians, who made a masterpiece, something really really good. Many people like this album, and also a man called Bruce Dickinson (no one knows him I bet...) was positively impressed by this work. The only pity is that this band hasn't had the commercial success they deserved.

For what regards the genre, this record is very very difficult to define: this is progressive rock, with some metal elements in some moments, very melodic parts, electronic inserts, mixed with acoustic riffs. They declare to be influenced by all styles of music, and it's not difficult to believe in this, because listening to "Evolution", we can really find everything, from orchestral music to death metal.

Analyzing the technical aspects, the first thing I can say is: this is not common musicians. The voice of Ben is amazing, and goes from the melodic notes of an acoustic piece, to the growls of a more powerful and metallic one. It's rare to find singers with a so wide rage of use of the voice. Ben plays also the guitar, and his technique is indisputable, even if he doesn't do many solos, like a traditional progressive guitarist. But his riffs are unforgettable: they remain impressed in your mind, they become a part of you. The bass of Shawn is the essence of precision: he never miss a shot, he's always in the right place in the right moments. His sound is clean, without any exaggeration of volume, it's a fix presence in the background of the melody, sometimes with the support of keyboards or synthesizers. The drumming of Sam is very particular, something between progressive and sludge. Sometimes he seems like Brann Dailor, other times he's very soft and delicate. Like the bass, the drums are never too loud, but always present.

Even if they are great musicians and broaden-minded people, the element I like more about this album is the atmosphere: when you put on this record, especially in headphones, you enter another dimension, you feel transported by the music in a peaceful place, somewhere in the middle of a calm sea. And this sensation lasts from the first note to the last, even during the most powerful parts of the album. It's something really hard to describe to the ones who hadn't listened to this songs, and I think this is the most important characteristic of this band.

These guys are really cool, it's a stupid statement, but it's the only thing you think just after listening to them. I hope they'll have success, because they are much much more than a lot of more famous bands.