Phaenomena
The Praise Of Madness

The Phaenomena are an all-Italian reality, a reality that saw its first dawn back in 1997 when they were formed. In 2003, they began to emerge on the hard n' heavy scene by offering their audience music primarily oriented towards melodic hard rock.

Only later, after lineup changes, did the band decide to steer their sound towards territories typically reminiscent of seventies-style progressive rock.

And so, after 5 years, their first full-length album, "The Praise Of MAdness," saw the light, a 72-minute concept album; a concept centered and inspired by "The Praise of Folly" by Erasmus of Rotterdam.

However, despite the effort to create such an ambitious creature, I don't feel I can fully endorse the album. And, mind you, not due to any technical or compositional shortcomings of the band, which, in truth, pours their soul into the 10 compositions in the batch. 

In particular, I refer to the fact that there is a lack of distinctly personal touches or, at least, elements that deviate from patterns that many other bands devoted to the same sounds haven't already overused. Especially visible within the longer tracks (where you can also hear the splendid voice of Stefano Sbrignadello), is the specter of Dream Theater, the more technical ones obsessed with time changes and keyboard breaks.

Finally, the album's production, which, although quite polished, is lacking in some points concerning its recording. However, this remark should not necessarily be considered a weakness of the band or the album in question, because the tracks, while not innovative, are really built on excellent riffs and time changes, and all the trinkets that will thrill prog lovers in general. Then, concerning the keyboards' music... This is simply wonderful. At least to me, it gives chills. The two initial intros, "Pallade's Whim" and "Awakening," are spectacular and highlight the band's love, and especially Pasquale Barile's (keyboards and piano), for classical music. To conclude, not a small thing, I am sure that the Phaenomena will manage to overcome this "partial" lack of personality with each album, eventually shedding all those halos and/or specters to which their music could easily be traced. As for the recording, the same applies: album after album, it can only get better.

Having said that, all that remains is to once again praise the band for putting together such an elaborate album, both from the lyrical standpoint and its content, from the concept aspect, and, above all, for their truly formidable technical skill. Skill that, I'm sure, can only grow in time.

So, summing up, if these are the expectations, I can only expect great things in the future from Phaenomena, a band that must give it their all in trying to create their own identity and make a name for themselves in the vast progressive landscape. What else to add? At this point, all that remains is to sincerely wish them the best and invite all of you to give them a well-deserved chance.

For further listening, I invite you, should you be interested, to listen to some tracks on the band's Myspace at the address: http://www.myspace.com/phaenomena