Review: Althea – The Art of Trees

Style: Art Rock (clean vocals)
Review by: Daniel
Country: Italy
Release date: 08-01-2019

NOTE: This album was originally included in the January 2019 issue of The Progressive Subway

If you like Pink Floyd, or any other traditional progressive rock band, listen to this album. No, I’m serious. You need to listen to this band, now. This isn’t to say that Althea isn’t original – quite the opposite actually. The best way I would describe them is that they take the progressive art rock sound from the 70’s and 80’s and progressed that sound, fusing it with modern elements to make something totally new.

The quality of the song writing on this record is stunning. They’ll take a simple melodic or rhythmic idea, develop it, and go down paths that are totally unexpected. This sort of natural song development is what you see in all the greats (think Rush). They never have “too many” ideas they’re trying to shove in one song, and it makes their songs sound clear and gives them a clear forward direction the whole time.

Something else that really stands out to me about this record are singer Alessio Accardo’s fantastic vocals. His vocal style is influenced heavily by the early masters, but it has just enough grit to make it sound human. For pretty much every single track on this record, Accordo records multiple parts for the vocals. When bands do this, they typically have multiple parts in harmony with each other, bolstering the lead. This sort of effect is common and sounds good, but Althea has taken it a step further. Instead of the usual approach the multiple tracks have different parts that fit in with each other like puzzle pieces. This sort of technique is known as counterpoint, and Althea loves to use it not only in their vocal melodies (where it’s most prominent), but in solo instrumental sections (see “The Shade”). It gives Althea a distinctive, original sound that is just stunningly beautiful.

One thing I would like to see a little more from this band, though, is rhythmic experimentation. Pretty much their entire repertoire is in 4 or 3, which can make some more experienced prog fans wanting something a little more. However, I can forgive them for this, because (a) they’re amazing, and (b) the style they derive their sound from doesn’t lend itself to having a song with a thousand time signature changes (e.g. Dream Theater).

Overall the mix is fantastic. The guitars sound like they were taken straight out of Wish You Were Here, and the drums sound natural and full. The vocals are amazing and never overpower the other parts at the wrong time. The strings and synths are also mixed at just the right volume. The only thing that I’m not a fan of is how the bass is recorded. The tone is nice and fat, but the attacks are very harsh and “clicky”; particularly in the softer sections the clicks are distracting. The bass should be taken down a couple db’s.

The Art of the Trees has a universal appeal that I think everyone in the progressive rock/metal community can get behind. They’re refreshing, creative and extremely emotional. I can only hope that Althea won’t disappear into obscurity and that they’ll get the international attention and critical acclaim they clearly deserve. Give them a shot, you won’t be disappointed.

Recommended tracks: The Art of Trees, The Shade, Today, One More Time
Recommended for fans of: Pink Floyd, King Crimson, Genesis, Riverside
Final verdict: 9/10

Related links: Bandcamp | Spotify | Official Website | Facebook | Metal-Archives page

Label: Sliptrick Records – Website | Facebook

Althea is:
– Alessio Accardo (vocals)
– Dario Bortot (guitars)
– Sergio Sampietro (drums)
– Andrea Trapani (bass)
– Marco Zambardi (keyboards)