Messenger of the Gods is the debut album of Italian keyboard virtuoso Mistheria. However, this album isn't full of his synth solos etc. Actually there's enough room for vocals and guitars in his songs. So I was favourably impressed with this release. Although this album is Mistheria's debut, it isn't his first recording... His first recorded appearance was already in 1994 on Mirage's "Frammenti".

Songs are neo-classical progressive metal (at least for the most part). Mostly the songs are based on a great synth melody (which this album contains a lot of). Songs are of even quality, but they're also quite diverse. There's everything from classical piano playing to speedy synth noodling in the neo-classical manner. To hear Mistheria's skills, just listen to the title track 'Messenger of the Gods', which contains both worlds of his playing (by the way, it's 11 minute 35 second long instrumental composition).

This album has been produced quite well... Sounds are solid, and there's not much to complain. I'd only change some slight details concerning the mixing (for example, the drums could have been mixed better). Also the guitar sound could have been occasionally better. However, this album sounds good as it is.

Lion Music releases quite a lot of albums with "super line-ups", sometimes the results aren't as felicitous as one expects... However, this album is definitely worth checking out, if you're a fan of the genre and/or bands like Symphony X, Time Requiem, Yngwie Malmsteen and Stratovarius, for example. Messenger of the Gods is surprisingly good debut album.

Release date: 22.10.2004

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- MAGE (07.10.2004)

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LINE-UP:
Mistheria: All Keyboards with Colella, Fabio: Drums (Track 2) Folchitto, David: Drums (Track 8) Johansson, Anders: Drums (Track 9) Macaluso, John: Drums (Tracks 3 & 4) Scala, Andrea: Drums (Tracks 1, 5, 6, 10, 11 & 12) Von Knorring, Michael: Drums (Track 7) Di Gioia, Maria Pia: Soprano Vocals (Track 8) Meisel, Hubi: Vocals & Lyrics (Track 12) Rock, Rob: Vocals & Lyrics (Tracks 2 & 11) Romano, Max: Vocals (Tracks 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 & 9) Bissonette, Matt: Bass (Track 7) Di Marco, Emilio: Bass (Tracks 2, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10 & 12) Gonzo: Bass (Track 3) Mazzenga, Mario: Bass (Track 11) Shannon, Paul: Bass (Track 8) Sparks, Barry: Bass (Track 9) Arminchiardi, Max: Guitars (Track 7) & Guitar Solo (Track 11) Bellas, George: Guitar Solo (Track 4) Coenen, Marcel: Guitar Solo (Track 3) D'Andrea, Maurizio: Acoustic Guitar (Track 12) and Electric Guitar Solo (Tracks 5, 8 & 10) Denander, Tommy: Guitar Solo (Track 6) Englund, Thorbjörn: Guitar Solo (Track 11) Freeman, Maxe: Rhythm Guitar (Track 2) & Lyrics (Tracks 2, 3 & 4) Hernando, Tony: Guitar Solo (Track 11) Kollman, Jeff: Guitar Solo (Track 6) Masi, Alex: Guitar Solo (Track 8) Porcheddu, Leonardo: Guitar (Tracks 5, 6, 8, 9, 10 & 11) Reali, Diego: Guitar Solo (Track 5) Renstrom, Rick: Guitar Solo (Track 6) Rivera, Andrea: Guitar/Classical Guitar (Track 10) Thal, Ron: Guitar Solo (Track 6) Zaza, Neil: Guitar Solo (Track 2)
Producer:	Unavailable
Mixing by:	Unavailable
Mastering by:	Unavailable

	TRACKLIST:
	01. Preludium Opus 71 02. Zeus Will Storm the Earth 03. The Chimera 04. The Beast of the Maze 05. King Midas 06. Dynasty of Death 07. Children's Heaven 08. Witch of the Demons 09. Dragon's Teeth 10. Messenger of the Gods 11. Titans 12. Eternity