Review: Maestrick – Espresso Della Vita: Solare

Style: traditional progressive metal, power metal (clean vocals)
Recommended for fans of: Angra, Ayreon, Dream Theater, early Haken, Symphony X
Review by: Sam
Country: Brazil
Release date: 23 May, 2018

NOTE: This album was originally included in the May 2018 issue of The Progressive Subway.

I will cliiiimb every mountain
And no matter what they say about my reality,
I will cliiiimb every mountain
And no matter what the say, I will reach my goooaaaall!!!
Reach my gooooaaaall!!!!

Are you the type that craves melancholia in their music? Are you depressed (and perhaps, Finnish)? This is not for you. I have never heard such a happy, upbeat prog metal album in my life. It’s 80 minutes of bliss and soaring through the sky in a fancy golden locomotive that certainly does not pollute the atmosphere even further I swear. I’m usually immune to power metal cheese (those who talked to me on the Images and Words discord know what I’m talking about), but this album gets even me, and I absolutely love it.

At its core this is a prog power record, but don’t let that distract you from the insane variety that comes with this album. It goes from soaring power metal riff galore to Christmas music (yes you read that right), to funky breakdowns to Brazilian conga music to Dream Theater-esque lightning speed solos and instrumental wizardry. This record shines in its unpredictability. They’ve also got an incredibly sense of melody. Both the keys and the lead guitars did a very good job. Low points would be the production and the vocals, which are a bit off. The keys are too low in the mix and it sounds like it could use some work in general. It’s not very jarring, but because of the long duration of the album it can become annoying. If anything the mix feels unfinished. You get what they’re trying to do sonically, but they don’t pull it off entirely. I’d usually rate this at least an 8, but aforementioned issues cut it down half a point. Highly recommended listen for any fan of traditional prog metal, modern or old school.

Recommended tracks: I A.M. Living, The Seed, Far West, Trainsition
You may also like: Beyond the Bridge (bandcamp), Circle of Illusion (bandcamp), Flaming Row (bandcamp)
Final verdict: 7.5/10

Related links: Bandcamp | Spotify | Facebook | Instagram | Metal-Archives page

Label: Avalon – Official Website

Maestrick is:
– Fábio Caldeira (vocals, piano)
– Neemias Teixeira (keyboards)
– Renato Somera (bass)
– Heitor Matos (drums)

With guests:
– Adair Daufembach (guitars)