(Power Metal) Arachnes - Apocalypse (Japanese Edition) - 2002, FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

The band ARACHNES formed back around 1995 when Caruso brothers (Enzo / Vocals and Frank / Guitars) decided to stop their hard-rock project Firehouse in order to give up a brand new musical-concept with lots of different influences and more oriented to the virtuoso-approach of guitars and arrangements. Under an always enlighted inspiration, the Caruso Brothers developed the ‘perfect ARACHNES sound’ that takes life from an incredible wide range of influences: Deep Purple, Led Zeppelin, Queen, Van Halen, Toto, Rainbow, Whitesnake, Yj Malmsteen, ELP, Jethro Tull, Yes, Miles Davis, Bach, Chopin, Stravinskij, Bartok just to name a few. All these different vibes are what we usually call a refined and open-minded background, a logic start into a modern and completely personal ‘heavy metal’ dimension.the heavy-roots to the modern technologies ARACHNES always take both power and melody and combine these 2 different sides in order to achieve the biggest impact. The first step in their career was the debut album ‘The Goddess Temple’ released through the Italian label Lucretia Records (1997) followed by the mini-CD ‘Metamorphosis’ on Underground Symphony perfectly illustrated by the finest Spanish artwork maker Luis Royo.best way to describe these 2 first releases is ‘progressive-metal’ even if the guitar approach is always on the first level and marks ARACHNES style with a romantic-neoclassical feeling (most respected Frank influence is without doubt Mr. Blackmore!).After the release of the ‘Metamorphosis’ mini-CD the band had a break and changed the line-up few times. New bass and drum players were added and started to search a new record-label to get more exposure especially outside Italy. Arachnes signed a deal with Scarlet and started the working process for ‘Parallel Worlds’. This is the beginning of the ‘music-style evolution/revolution’, building up more direct songs with lots of great power-speed riffing and an additional epic feeling, provided by choirs and orchestral hints. Especially the guitar of Frank Caruso moves between neo-classical and jazz influences, giving to ARACHNES something unique and far from the standards. ‘Parallel Worlds’ got excellent reviews around the world and for ARACHNES was the real breakthrough. Arachnes is not a the ‘usual’ power-speed metal from Italy! Arachnes has something more to offer! The 3rd album ‘Apocalypse’ was the first musical ‘concept’ written by the band. The sound was even more mature and offered the same crystal technique both in melody and aggression. Caruso brothers followed the artistical production themselves. They recorded and mixed the album proving to be one of the finest musicians from Italy. ‘Apocalypse’ got enthusiastic feedback also in Japan where the top-metal label AVALON/MARQUEE released the album with a bonus track titled ‘Epilogue’. With this album ARACHNES got the best results in reviews and sales and after the release, for the first time writers of various mags started to compare other minor bands to ARACHNES in style and sound. That means that ARACHNES got a definite trade-mark in their sound!But now it's time for the 4th album 'PRIMARY FEAR'!The result is what a label should ask to a band playing mature melodic power-speed metal with symphonic and progressive influence! 'Primary Fear' is the best ARACHNES album, with an incredible feeling and the most intense approach ever. Songs are full of power and aggressive guitars, vocal lines are, as always, superb and extraordinary guitar solos. 'Primary Fear' feature 2 real pearls: 'Tota Pulchra' a song recorded in a church with a real church- organ and composed by the Maestro F.Castelli and a cover song of 'Eruption' taken from the prog-rock masterpiece 'Tarkus' by E.L.P. Again the Japanse version will feature a bonus track and will be released by Marquee/Avalon. In 2006 the new release of Arachnes, 6th studio-album, In Praise Of Science, already described by Caruso brothers as another big step forward in order to combine hard rock and progressive edges with brilliant symphonic atmospheres. he heavy-roots to the modern technologies ARACHNES always take both power and melody and combine these 2 different sides in order to achieve the biggest impact. In 2008 Frank started with the new solo project STRINGS 24 and publish two album with the band: the first album STRINGS 24 for Lion music (2009) and the new album SPEAK for Videoradio/SELF (2011). In 2011 ARACHNES new album of ARACHNES coming soon...

#777Italy's Arachnes are one of those bands who come so close to greatness but then fall short of the mark, and it pisses me off every time I stick on one of their albums, because there are moments during Apocalypse (the band's third album, if I remember correctly) that make me want to weep with joy. As a Power Metal band, they sound something like Sonata Arctica during their Silence period, only with a better guitarist in Franco Caruso, and a singer (his brother) who sounds like a mix of Fabio Lione and Bruce Dickinson. They also manage to add a lot of progressive touches to their music without it sounding cluttered or big-headed. Later on, the band would become better chance-takers, but here all we get is the usual Italian fodder: double kick drums, flashy keys and harpsichords, high wailing vocals, and catchy as hell melodies (even though the lyrics make no sense whatsoever, you'll still be singing along with the likes of "A New Breathing" and "The Rain Song", I guarantee).

Their most direct album by a mile, Apocalypse has a very strong production, giving the guitars a cool crunch, the drums a healthy rattle, and even the keys sound great. The only real weakness is in Enzo Caruso's vocals, which while well performed, are a little aimless. This is also a concept album of some kind, but because of the badly translated lyrics I can't tell what the story is supposed to be. The performances here are worthy of attention, though, as the band have gone unnoticed despite their rather amazing abilities. So if you're looking for an album of shiny melodic Power Metal in the late 90s mould this is certainly a band (and an album) worth checking out.

Review written by Bruce Dragonchaser for www.metalcrypt.com