Melting Clock
Destinazioni

Interesting debut by Melting Clock titled "Destinazioni": it is a group from Genoa that offers a clean, symphonic progressive rock, not particularly complex but nonetheless effective. In this debut album, titled “Destinazioni,” a great emphasis is given to melody. Melting Clock was formed in 2001 out of love for bands like Porcupine Tree, Opeth, Riverside, and Ayeron. Over time, the lineup has gone through several changes among the various musicians. In any case, in this album, I did not find traces of the previously mentioned names or prog-metal influences. The music is soft and atmospheric, with several acoustic moments, and is enriched by the beautiful voice of Emanuela Vedana. Keyboards are highlighted, and I believe that those who love the classic symphonic prog sound and bands like La Locanda delle Fate and Banco del Mutuo Soccorso will find much to enjoy here. “Destinazioni” is a sort of concept centered on the theme of travel. The initial “Caleidoscopio” is perhaps one of the best tracks, with an alternation of moments now calm, now more aggressive. Melodramatic atmospheres are not lacking, as in “Vetro.” “Strade affollate” is a soft acoustic ballad, while “Antares” veers towards almost psychedelic territories with prominent rhythms. The concluding and lengthy title-track starts aggressively (the beginning vaguely reminded me of Museo Rosenbach) with distorted hard guitars, then the music becomes calmer with acoustic sounds coming to the fore. The settings at the beginning are hectic: in the central part, they become meditative, and then they become dark and edgy again: certainly a complex and solution-rich track. Overall, Melting Clock shows good potential, although perhaps they lack true expressive peaks, and the sound, at times, can seem too composed.