Stage Of Reality
Stage Of Reality

There was a lot of curiosity about the recording return of Stage Of Reality, a Roman band led by guitarist Andrea Neri (formerly a member of the Blaze Bayley Band) that over the last few years has distinguished itself for its excellent live performance and increasingly mature sound. After releasing two new singles ("Never" and "Dignity") over the past year that paved the way for the new work, here we are in front of "Stage Of Reality," a self-titled album that seems almost to highlight the sense of unity breathed within the band right from the title. While "Breathing Machines" presented us with a project where Andrea's hard&heavy background stood out strongly, this new work surprises from the very first listen, firstly for the targeted (and advisable) choice to broaden its artistic horizons and secondly for the excellent work done during the songwriting phase. As mentioned earlier, this new chapter sought to make the composition of the tracks more fluid, avoiding overly complex instrumental passages and thus approaching an average listener who appreciates a musician's flair but primarily seeks energy. Strong emotions can be found in "Warlord" (featuring Blaze Bayley as a guest) and "Wake Up" (another standout track of the album along with the first single "Spectral Drum Down"), songs that blend well with the softer side of our band, best expressed in the cover of Amy Winehouse's "Back To Black" (with Amanda Somerville as a guest). A mature album that manages to give its best after a few listens and highlights an inspired band ready to seize every opportunity.