Inside My Mind

In a year when many well-known symphonic metal bands have already released strong records (Beyond Black, Xandria, Delain), it's exciting to see new bands emerging with even stronger debut albums. This is certainly the case for MagiTech, a young Italian band that released their first demo/EP, Inside My Mind, at the end of January. The band consists of two core members: singer Francesca Bonvini and Mirko Fermani, who wrote the songs, played bass and rhythm guitar, and programmed the drums and orchestrations. Several guest musicians and collaborators also contributed to the EP, including male vocalist Gianluca Gulino and lead guitarists Lorenzo Paoletti, Luca Tossici, Sebastiano Ciccalè, and Lorenzo Marcelloni. The EP features three original songs and a cover of "Far Over the Misty Mountains Cold" from The Hobbit and runs just over 15 minutes, which is not a lot of time but is more than enough to showcase the band's considerable potential.

The cover of The Hobbit and the inspiration of the three original songs from Brandon Sanderson's epic fantasy novel series The Stormlight Archive, strongly suggest the cinematic approach that MagiTech takes towards symphonic metal. Indeed, the bouncy rhythms, fairy-tale orchestrations, and dynamic guitar riffs evoke fabled soundscapes that seem to have sprung from the mind of Tim Burton. Francesca Bonvini’s vocals are suitably theatrical, ranging from pop/rock singing to operatic vocals and emphatic recitations ("Inside my Mind"). At times, the extravagant vocal arrangements reminded me of Dismal, a fellow Italian progressive gothic rock/metal band famous for their dramatic approach to music.

Also similar to Dismal, MagiTech draw upon a diverse range of influences in their music. While "Inside my Mind" may be the most traditional symphonic metal piece on the EP, featuring big vocal hooks and elaborate arrangements, “Creeping in the Dark” and “Mother of Lies” showcase different facets of the band’s sound. The former is a proggy tune that alternates between chunky guitar riffs and futuristic synth motifs, reminiscent of Ayreon. On the other hand, "Mother of Lies" explores darker, gothic territories, with Francesca's ethereal voice contrasting with raspy male growls. The guitars have a modern, almost groove/nu metal slant, creating a heavy, percussive background for a spooky synth motif that repeats throughout most of the song. The EP concludes with a short rendition of the epic tune from The Hobbit, adding a further folksy dimension to MagiTech's sound.

It’s remarkable how much ground MagiTech cover in the space of only four songs while overall retaining strong coherence and flow. This is a testament to Mirko Fermani's vibrant musical imagination, as well as his skill in arranging music tastefully and professionally. I'm particularly impressed by his ability to write memorable melodic hooks that never become dull or saccharine. Francesca Bonvini deserves praise too for her interpretation of these melodies with her great voice and excellent technique, especially her impressive rich low register and power in the most emotive passages. Although her English may have a strong Italian accent, it adds to the theatrical mystique of the album rather than detracting from the listening experience. Additionally, the EP's production is outstanding; it's mind-boggling that this is only a "demo," as it sounds fantastic with a perfect balance between clean and natural production.

Overall, Inside My Mind is perhaps one of the most impressive symphonic metal releases I've heard this year. It's catchy without relying on excessive pop elements, and it's extravagant and theatrical without becoming too complicated. The music also packs a solid metallic punch, and the instrumental performances and vocals are top-notch. There is so much to love about this EP that my only frustration is that it's too good and too short, leaving me wanting more!

[Originally written for The Metal Observer]