Marco Garau's Magic Opera (ITALY)

[Horex]

Marco Garau's Magic Opera - The Golden Pentacle (Digipak Edition) (2021)













Year : 2021
Style : Symphonic Power Metal
Country : Italy
Audio : 320 kbps + all scans
Size : 153 mb

Bio:

MAGIC OPERA is the Symphonic Power Metal Project created by Marco Garau (Derdian Keyboard Player). The debut album is a concept based on an original story written by Marco Garau and will be released on February 19, 2021.

Album:

Marco Grou, keyboardist for Derdian sees his power metal vision come to life in his project Magic Opera, releasing their first album The Golden Pentacle, a symphonic power metal concept work filled with strong performances and the epic overall feel one looks for in the genre.For those not up on Italian power metal, Marco Grau and several members of Magic Opera hail from the Milan band Derdian, who have been around for at least 15 years from what I can tell. Others have said that Magic Opera sounds a bit like older Derdian, which is not surprising given the members involved, and if that is the case, I have yet another band I need to go and check out. The Golden Pentacle was mixed and mastered by Danilo Di Lorenzo at Moonhouse Recording Studio in Milan and while the overall mix is a bit too keyboard heavy for me, overall it is fitting for the genre, very clean with every instrument and layer of music easily heard and there is a lot musically to take in. Interestingly, the melodies take center stage in the mix with the keyboards and then the lead guitars and strings, and a bit in the background are the drums, rhythm guitar and bass which is a bit disappointing to me given the overall high quality musicianship, but this is more of a stylistic choice than anything.The album starts out with the title track and some horses galloping accompanied by a tolling bell to set the overall tone and begin the story of the Kingdom of Amtork and the fate of King Leiber and his wizard Lord Kama. A lot of fantasy storytelling going on. For those completely new to this style/genre, think Trans-Siberian Orchestra but with a medieval fantasy story line. This of course, does a complete disservice to both bands but is the easiest comparison I can make. Most of the album is fairly fast tempo European power metal done very well with some great guitar solos, epic choruses and great vocals from Anton Darusso.Many of the songs feature a great interplay between the keyboards and guitars that goes unnoticed at first but with more listens, becomes more and more impressive. When they are not in harmony, they support each other exceptionally well. Listening to the openings of “Keepers of the Night” and “Fight for the Victory” are great examples of this work and show the strengths of the band, not only musically, but also from an arrangement perspective. It is interesting to me that after the opening of “Fight for Victory” the guitars fade largely into the general mix allowing the keyboards and vocals to run much of the song. In this song, as in others on the album, I especially appreciate the guitar solos as they have that sense of restraint but near abandon so hard to convey. Many similar bands struggle to keep that tension in the guitar solos, either going too far or not far enough to meet the overall mood or tone of the song.Songs like “Secret of the Sea” with the extensive chorus vocals in the beginning and lone piano interlude remind me a bit of Queen which makes the overall listening experience a bit interesting. Add in the almost gruff, whispered vocals, and the song definitely takes on that epic opera-like feel, which I’m not sure if I like or not. The album does feature a near ballad in “The Other Side”, which just doesn’t seem to work for me as it feels a bit dated, like a late 80’s metal ballad, even down to the guitar solo.The next track, “The Other Side” brings back the faster tempos and the guitar and keyboard harmony in the opening and then it proceeds to gallop off at a fast pace from there. Fittingly, the closing track “Until the End of Time” also carries on that common thread but interestingly has a bit of a carnival feel in the vocal delivery at times. The rest of the song has some interesting musical interludes including one started by the keyboards where the guitars join in harmony setting up some rough, growled vocals, which if from Anton Darusso, demonstrate his range in tone and style as an almost Jekyll and Hyde transformation.Marco Grou has succeeded on several fronts with Magic Opera The Golden Pentacle. First and foremost, he has assembled quite a cast of musicians to help produce his vision, secondly, he has crafted a solid symphonic power metal sound, and thirdly, he has created an interesting storyline and composed the soundtrack to that storyline that keeps the listener interested throughout the near hour long album.

Line-Up:

Anton Darusso - Vocals (2019-present) - See also: Oxidize, Wings of Destiny, ex-Destiny, Blind Faith
Matt Krais - Guitars (2019-present) - See also: ShadowStrike
Gabriel Tuxen - Guitars (2019-present) - See also: Seven Thorns
Enrico Pistolese - Bass - See also: Derdian
Salvatore Giordano - Drums - See also: Derdian
Marco Garau - Keyboards (2019-present) - See also: Derdian

Tracklist:

01. The Golden Pentacle
02. Elixir of Life
03. Keepers of the Nigh
04. Never-ending Pain
05. Fight for the Victory
06. The Secret of the Sea
07. The Sacred Legacy
08. Free Again
09. The Other Side
10. Thief of Souls
11. Until the End of Time




Download links for all albums only on our blog here: http://goodmetalandhar.do.am/

[Horex]

Marco Garau's Magic Opera - Battle Of Ice (2023)











Year : 2023
Style : Symphonic Power Metal
Country : Italy
Audio : 320 kbps + front
Size : 147 mb

Bio:

MAGIC OPERA is the Symphonic Power Metal Project created by Marco Garau (Derdian Keyboard Player). The debut album is a concept based on an original story written by Marco Garau and will be released on February 19, 2021.

Album:

More band names need to have the founder’s name stuck on the front.There’s an undeniable intrigue to groups who practice the art – is it a possessive act of spite, a warning to the other members who the ringleader is? Maybe it’s more like Luca Turilli’s RHAPSODY, where the name makes it easier to identify which of the 80 variations of the band you’ve bumped into in a dark alley.If pride was the reason that Marco Garau’s MAGIC OPERA are named as such, rather than it being his solo project, then he could still rightly carry on. The former DERIDAN keyboardist is an alchemist, distilling old-school symphonic power metal down to the most intricate technical and thematic elements. Then, in true power metal fashion, he applies both of them in outlandishly liberal doses to everything he touches. He knows his oats, and MAGIC OPERA’s 2021 Amtork Saga debut The Golden Pentacle was proof if proof were needed. But does Battle Of Ice live up to those high standards?It certainly stays on theme, there’s no doubt there. Opener The Black Sorcery sets the tone of the adventure immediately; medieval string plucking making way for a triumphant medley of mounting guitar and keys. Beyond that point, galloping double-kicks and the battle for guitar and keyboard supremacy are the order of the day. The waltz-like Assault On The Castle is a superb blend of style and strangely graceful execution, while The Book Of Evil simply has to flex its skill and knowledge of the genre to create a memorable first impression with dazzling guitars and no-nonsense power metal melodies.Another part of the true joy of this album lies in the fantasy theme providing room to play around with the musical content, in order to better tell the story. Sometimes it’s subtle – switches in key and instrument focus to change the scenery audibly a la the classic-to-the-core ballad White Dragon – while other times it’s more on the nose, such as lead vocalist Anton Darusso switching between clean and harsh vocals depending on which side of the story is being told in tracks like The Cursed Crown. It emphasises a fuller experience that goes beyond the songs to create something closer to an art piece in its effect and it is masterfully done.here are one or two orcs in the ointment, however. It’s squeaky clean production wise, almost to a fault – predecessor The Golden Pentacle seemed to relish the slight roughness around the edges in parts for emphasis. Battle Of Ice, however, has in places opted for a level of polish that even MAGIC OPERA’s rampant enthusiasm can’t scuff up, which leaves it feeling devoid of character at times. There are a few by-the-numbers tracks, too; efforts like Ride Into The Sun that have all the aforementioned distilled elements, but are put together in a rather basic and barebones configuration and lose their appeal quickly.For its faults, though, Battle Of Ice remains a fantastic effort and a worthy follow-up to MAGIC OPERA’s debut. It’s an experience, more than anything; a soaring dragon flight through a world where you can take in the tale as it unwinds below you, where the dragon only occasionally stops to scarf down as much cheese as it possibly can. The sheer passion that has gone into creating a storytelling vehicle here is plain to see and delivered with such pure power metal enthusiasm that is hard not to love it just for that. Power metal of this quality already being released in 2023 only says good things about the genre, and better things about where Marco Garau is taking MAGIC OPERA.

Line-Up:

Anton Darusso - Vocals (2019-present) - See also: Oxidize, Wings of Destiny, ex-Destiny, Blind Faith
Ollie Bernstein Bass (2022-present) - See also: Illusion Force, Ousiodes, Silex (live)
Enrico Pistolese Bass (2019-2022), Guitars (2022-present) - See also: Derdian
Luca Sellitto Guitars (lead) (2022-present) - See also: Luca Sellitto, Stamina
Marco Garau - Keyboards (2019-present) - See also: Derdian
Salvatore Giordano - Drums - See also: Derdian

Tracklist:

01. The Black Sorcery 06:27
02. The Cursed Crown 05:40
03. The Legend of the Demon's Cry 06:21
04. Assault on the Castle 04:43
05. Ride into the Sun 06:17
06. White Dragon 07:48
07. The Shadow Man 05:27
08. The Book of Evil 05:15
09. Under Siege 05:01
10. Battle of Ice 11:05




Download links for all albums only on our blog here: http://goodmetalandhar.do.am/

[Horex]

Marco Garau's Magic Opera - The Final Flight (Japan Edition) (2026)













Year : 2026 (Japan Edition)
Style : Symphonic Melodic Power Metal
Country : Italy
Audio : 320 kbps + all scans
Size : 170 mb

Bio:

MAGIC OPERA is the Symphonic Power Metal Project created by Marco Garau (Derdian Keyboard Player). The debut album is a concept based on an original story written by Marco Garau and will be released on February 19, 2021.

Album:

MAGIC OPERA, shaped under the guidance of Italian composer and keyboardist Marco Garau, stands out as a concept-driven project rooted in the symphonic and neoclassical power metal tradition. Throughout “The Amtork Saga” trilogy, the band has remained connected to the classic European school of the genre through its fantasy-driven narrative, grand orchestral arrangements, and highly melodic compositions, bringing this long-running story to its conclusion with “The Final Flight”. The album once again showcases MAGIC OPERA’s distinctive compositional approach, balancing epic atmospheres, technical virtuosity, and dramatic song structures.With “The Final Flight”, MAGIC OPERA completes the three-album narrative of “The Amtork Saga”. However, rather than serving as a finale that opens the door to unexpected new directions, this closing chapter focuses on the most refined expression of the compositional identity established by the project from the very beginning. Garau does not attempt to change the genre or rewrite the formula; instead, he presents one final, cohesive statement built around neoclassical touches, grand keyboard arrangements, and strongly melodic power metal structures.The album’s opening track, “The Danger’s Growing Dark”, begins with a restrained atmosphere that initially evokes the feeling of a film soundtrack. The string-like keyboard textures and controlled melodic introduction soon develop into the classic Italian symphonic power metal tradition. However, unlike MAGIC OPERA’s previous releases, darker tones become more prominent here. The harsher passages occasionally added to Anton Darusso’s clean vocal approach create a contrast that supports the dramatic side of the story. This approach does not completely abandon the genre’s traditional heroic narrative, but it introduces a more noticeable sense of tension beneath the melodies.“The Black Gem” is one of the tracks that reveals the album’s core principles most clearly. The powerful double bass patterns, expansive chorus structure, and neoclassical guitar-keyboard interplay directly represent MAGIC OPERA’s compositional identity. Marco Garau’s keyboard arrangements are not merely used to create atmosphere; they remain in constant dialogue with the guitars as a crucial part of the melodic foundation. This is one of the key elements that separates the album from many contemporary symphonic power metal releases. While keyboards often function merely as an orchestral backdrop in many modern examples, they become an active force shaping the direction of the compositions in MAGIC OPERA’s music.“Unholy Alliance” presents one of the album’s more experimental moments. The folk-influenced section and flamenco-inspired guitar approach briefly step outside the boundaries of traditional power metal structures. However, these touches are not radical moves that reshape the overall musical framework; instead, they function as transitional elements supporting different shades of the narrative. For this reason, these additional colors should be viewed less as innovations expanding the genre’s boundaries and more as tools that enrich MAGIC OPERA’s melodic universe.One of the album’s most notable qualities is that it does not build its dramatic intensity solely through speed. “Fury Of The Storm” takes a calmer approach in this regard, focusing on melodic flow rather than rapid double bass sections. However, this choice also reveals some of the album’s weaker moments. Although the track attempts to establish a strong atmosphere, it falls behind the album’s overall standard due to melodic ideas that do not develop sufficiently within its extended structure. MAGIC OPERA’s strongest moments usually emerge when dramatic composition and technical display are kept in balance, while this equilibrium feels more limited here.In contrast, tracks such as “When Reason Dies” represent the album’s more balanced side. Through tempo changes, more aggressive vocal passages, and melodic transitions, the song avoids monotony while maintaining the classic power metal framework. Anton Darusso’s performance becomes particularly important here. Alongside his high melodic approach, the vocalist moves toward harsher tones that strengthen the dramatic roles within the songs. This use of harsher vocals may not be an ideal choice for every listener; however, within the context of the concept, it functions as an element that adds character to MAGIC OPERA’s fantasy narrative.“Chaos Rising” stands out as one of the album’s instrumental focal points. The purpose of the track is not simply to showcase virtuosity, but also to highlight Garau’s identity as a composer through the interaction between guitars and keyboards. Following this, tracks such as “Immortal Glory” and “Lady Of The Wind” reveal the album’s calmer and more melodic side. In particular, “Lady Of The Wind” demonstrates that MAGIC OPERA is not built solely around fast and extravagant power metal, but can also work effectively with more acoustic and emotionally focused arrangements.“The Final Flight” creates its expected sense of conclusion not through a major stylistic breakthrough, but by bringing together the essential elements used throughout the previous albums. Fast passages, extended instrumental sections, keyboard-driven melodies, and dramatic vocal transitions all return here. This approach may feel predictable to some listeners; however, MAGIC OPERA’s strength does not come from constantly seeking transformation, but from consistently developing a clearly defined musical identity.From a production perspective, the album features a clean and balanced sound that provides the necessary scale for symphonic power metal. The instruments are positioned without overpowering one another, allowing the keyboard and guitar layers to remain clearly audible in detail. This approach avoids the overly compressed production style and artificial sense of grandeur often found in modern extreme metal releases. MAGIC OPERA chooses a more traditional album aesthetic here, which aligns naturally with the genre’s roots.Visually, “The Final Flight” carries an identity closely connected to the project’s fantasy narrative. The artwork and overall conceptual approach draw from the epic fantasy aesthetics traditionally associated with symphonic power metal. This choice is not unfamiliar within the genre; however, its connection with the music prevents it from becoming merely decorative. The visual presentation moves along the same path as the album’s narrative structure and grand arrangements.“The Final Flight” is not an album attempting to open a new direction within contemporary symphonic power metal. Instead, it is a final chapter that clearly defines what MAGIC OPERA represents while remaining faithful to its own melodic principles. Rather than constantly searching for surprises, the album asks listeners to focus on the melodic development of the compositions, the relationship between keyboards and guitars, and the dramatic structures built across longer song formats. While Marco Garau’s project reinterprets the classic Italian school of power metal within modern production conditions, its true strength lies not in innovation but in preserving a consistent musical vision until the very end. For this reason, “The Final Flight” should be regarded less as a turning point and more as the controlled and deliberate closing of a carefully established artistic world.

Line-Up:

Anton Darusso - Vocals (2019-present) - See also: Blind Faith, Savage Existence, Wings of Destiny, Darusso, EllE, Web of Lies, ex-Oxidize, ex-Alex Grata & Anton Darusso, ex-Caída Libre, ex-Diesel, ex-Forever Lost, ex-Head Off, ex-Jason Jenkins' Desafío, ex-Liverpool, ex-Lizard King, ex-Moscow Blues, ex-Séptimo Faro, ex-Two Coins, ex-Voices of Babylon
Luca Sellitto - Guitars (lead) (2022-present) - See also: Luca Sellitto, Stamina, Timeless Fairytale
Matteo Baschiera - Guitars (2025-present)
Ollie Bernstein - Bass (2022-present) - See also: Five Rings, Illusion Force, Ousiodes, ex-Melodius Deite (live), ex-Silex (live)
Salvatore Giordano - Drums - See also: ex-Derdian
Marco Garau - Keyboards (2019-present) - See also: ex-Derdian

Tracklist:

01. The Danger’s Growing Dark 07:15
02. The Black Gem 04:51
03. Unholy Alliance 05:38
04. Fury of the Storm 05:20
05. Mother of Winter Ice 05:44
06. Chaos Rising 01:20 instrumental
07. When Reason Dies 05:42
08. Immortal Glory 05:05
09. Lady of the Wind 05:54
10. The Clash of Fates 06:25
11. Steel and Magic 05:02
12. The Final Flight 06:19
13. Time to Say Goodbye 04:59 (Japan Bonus Track)




Download links for all albums only on our blog here: http://goodmetalandhar.do.am/