Year : 2014
Style : Power Metal
Country : Italy
Audio : 320 kbps + scans
Size : 120 mb
Bio:
Mastercastle is an Italian heavy metal band that fuses traditional metal qualities with the grandiose skilled musicianship of neo-classical metal.Founded by guitarist Pier Gonella (also Necrodeath) together with vocalist , new-comer Giorgia Gueglio the band are rapidly developing a loyal fanbase and a trademark sound. The guitar work of Pier is sure to please fans of the likes of Yngwie Malmsteen with its strong riffs and explosive lead work. Whilst Giorgia Gueglio vocals are equal to task of matching Gonella’s guitar work with their great power and soaring qualities and also serve in giving Mastercastle their own unique sound. Mastercastle are completed by the rhythm section of bassist Steve Vawamas and hystorical drummer John Macaluso (Y.Malmsteen, James Labrie, Ark...) who combine to create a solid backdrop for all tracks.Mastercastle were born in January 2008 by Pier and Giorgia. The pair had had several music projects in the past and wanted to try something different. No fixed genre was chosen with the emphasis being on producing music in a natural way. The pair wrote a number of songs and then chose 4 to record for a promo to gain label interest. The first musician contacted to help complete the demo was drummer Alessandro Bissa (Labyrinth-Vision Divine). Having worked in the past with Pier and Giorgia, Bissa’s arrival changed the initial project into a real band. The line up was completed by Steve Vawamas on bass guitar and the name Mastercastle was settled on for the new band that went on to complete the recordings of the four song demo.On July 2008 they sent those four tracks to Lion Music, later signing with them. Mastercastle’s debut album “The Phoenix” was released on April 17 2009. The album met with widespread critical acclaim and the video for “Princess Of Love” rapidly clocked up over 150,000 views on YouTube. The album was licensed and printed in Japan under the label "Spiritual Beast".The band quickly set about entering the studio to record their second release "Last Desire" which saw release on June 18th 2010. Possessing a more straight ahead style the album once again met with critical success. The album had a second print as "special edition" with 4 bonus tracks.Wanting to build on the momentum gained from the first two releases the band set about writing and recording their third album “Dangerous Diamonds” which saw release on 18 November 2012 and saw the band merging the styles of the previous two releases to create a signature sound.Additionally the band contributed to new track “Sakura” to the Lion Music Japan Red Cross Benefit album “Embrace The Sun” (including artists like Jennifer Batten, Milan Polak and many more) and released a promo video to accompany the track.Mid 2012 saw Mastercastle regroup to write and record their fourth album. The album has the prestigious honour of welcoming of drum legend John Macaluso to the band with a release anticipated in early 2013 on Lion Music. Due to many engagements John cannot guarantee his presence in any gig so the bands founded another equally prestigious drummer for the rest: Francesco La Rosa (Thought Machine, Meganoidi, Extrema...)On 2014 the band have a deal with Scarlet Records for the release of their fifth album. This new work, inspired by the different meanings and aspects of "censorship", has been described by the band as their heaviest effort to date, while still maintaining their trademark sound and with a special mention for the strongest production the band have ever benefited from. With the very special guest appearance by Andrea De Paoli (Labyrinth, Vision Divine), the album will be released on 14 october 2014 under Scarlet Records.
Album:
I have the deepest respect for axeman Pier Gonella (NECRODEATH / ODYSSEA / ATHLANTIS / ex LABYRINTH) & bassist Steve Vawamas (ex SHADOWS OF STEEL / ATHLANTIS ), two reputed veterans from the Italian Power Metal scene, those guys are talented but they are owners of a true fighting spirit, not only they are very skilled but they hold a real honesty and above all a true constancy even a certain stubbornness, working hard in their own way in order to share their vision and live their dreams!For their fifth opus, they once again offer their trademark sound, a guitar driven Melodic Power Metal “Naked” with a strong Neo-Classical flavor in the shredding solos (the most obviously in the closing instrumental “Coming Bach”, a new found emphasis on epic melodies without being too pompous, a prestigious guest on keyboards is Mister Andrea De Paoli LABYRINTH / ex VISION DIVINE, a great addition to the recording line-up, as he added some great textures layers and a whole new ambient vibe "Straight To The Bone".I always had some reservations concerning the vocals delivery of Miss Giorgia Gueglio, I always felt it could have been more powerful and I really miss an edge or a more aggressive temperament and this time particularly as the music seems in an Heaviest stage, I had really hope for a more biting result, it reveals a gap between the dynamic method of the razor sharp guitars and the much too angelic voice, maybe it's a conscious contrast, this aspect is my only reproach!The lyrical side is inspired by a story about the control of the subversives minds, rebel idea and the different meanings and historic views of the censorship, clearly a demanding concept. After four critically acclaimed albums published under the L. Mattsson’s Lion Records brand, the band was picked up by Italian leading label Scarlet Records, the sound of this new album is worthy the band reputation giving a run for their money to the band detractors.
Line-Up:
Giorgia Gueglio - Vocals (2008-present)
Steve Vawamas - Bass (2008-present) - See also: Athlantis, Tragedian, ex-Angels in Black, ex-Shadows of Steel, ex-The Dogma
Pier Gonella - Guitars (2008-present) - See also: Athlantis, Necrodeath, Perseo Miranda, Vanexa, Wild Steel, ex-Odyssea, ex-Amazing Maze, ex-Labÿrinth, ex-Synthphonia Suprema
Francesco La Rosa - Drums (2013-present) - See also: Denial, Extrema, ex-Malombra, ex-Spite Extreme Wing, ex-Zørn, Thought Machine, ex-Alice in Darkland, ex-Janvs, ex-M-pire of Evil (live)
Tracklist:
01. The Castle 04:19
02. Let me out 04:17
03. Naked 03:47
04. Pirates 04:09
05. Enfer 04:29
06. Straight to the Bone 04:42
07. Throne of Time 03:08
08. Behind the Veil 03:41
09. Venice 03:43
10. Coming Bach 02:53 instrumental
11. Cat-House 03:25 (Bonus Track)
12. Alone 03:05 instrumental (Bonus Track)
Download links for all albums only on our blog here: http://goodmetalandhar.do.am/
