Imaginaerium has returned to tell several stories conceptualized on the term “siege”. The stories range as far back as the archives of the history of the Roman Empire, to the present day and the sieges we each face in our own daily lives. The new chapter, Siege, will be released on April 4th, 2025, on Essentials.Progrock.com.
The essential characters, actors and musicians have all returned to tell this collection of epic stories about how we all can meet the sieges of our lives. The Imaginaerium project is the conception of the late Eric Bouillette, Clive Nolan, and Laura Piazzai. This new project was arranged by Clive. He wrote the lyrics and he plays all keyboards. Clive is also one of the lead vocalists. Laura Piazzai, also returns to sing lead and backing vocals; Luis Nasser, plays bass; Mirko Sangrigoli, plays drums and guitar; and Simone Milliava, plays guitar and acoustic guitar.
One thing I notice immediately from previewing this album before writing the review, is that Laura Piazzai finally gets to sing more songs. And what a difference that makes. When you have a talented performer like Laura, you need to let her rip the sky. And on “Siege”, she absolutely does.
Take the first CD, opener, “Cry Boudica!” Laura shouts the title as if she was leading a battalion of warriors on the field of battle. She sounds great. Laura plays, Boudica (or Boudicea), the queen of the Iceni, who rose up against the Roman occupation of Britain. And from the deliberate sound of her voice you know she means it. She is the voice of rebellion in this early part of the Siege. She has a difficult story of her past to tell. Her history made her stronger and more willing to fight and lead a rebellion against the people who were responsible for her sad past.
The flood of great vocals from Laura continues on “Final Redoubt”. First though, there is some fearful noises and preparation, before battle. Mysterious keys and Laura breathing hard. She sings, “The threat is at the gateway. The final redoubt. These wall swill not come down. These walls were built to last”. Meanwhile drums and percussion sounds fill the soundscape. Then, Laura echoes the great Gandalf, “You shall not pass!” The fortress is surrounded by enemy soldiers, which look like a modern day AI landscape, filled with people dressed and looking the same, without any feeling. Ready to pounce and destroys those within the walls.
Then, bells and chimes as Laura sings “Footprints”. She sings, “Block by block I build this wall. This is mine and mine alone. No one in and no one out”. Laura sings, Leaving footprints in the snow. I am waiting for the siege!” Pulsating bass and warm keyboards surround the soundscape. A winter stronghold to defend all those she cares for, and loves.
“All There is to See”, is another fantastic example of Laura’s vocal talent. She sings, “The world is too large to visualize at once. I need oceans. I need islands. I need walls to keep me in. I need lines”. What she is talking about is everyone’s home. As the earbook states, “Your home is your castle, and from the sanity of that castle we can view the rest of the world!”
“When My Eyes are Closed”, is an anthem of tolerance towards the many mental doubts and fears we struggle with and endure daily. Laura sings, “It seems like an eternity. This empty space now part of me. The path I walk is cold and without end. A wilderness of imagery. It all comes crowding in on me”. A wonderful acoustic guitar solo from Simone Milliava, fills the middle of the song, making this one of the best tracks. Clive’s piano throughout the song is also entertaining. The earbook says it best, “There are many mental conditions that threaten to wipe away any real sense of identity. Maybe deep inside lies the real ‘you’ under siege by these unforgiving ravages… if you close your eyes, you can still see ‘you’”. Yes, indeed.
“To the Victor Go the Spoils”, is an instrumental, with Laura providing vocal incantations, amidst the pounding drums, orchestrations, acoustic guitar, heavy bass, and flute. A warlike anthem of power. The earbook states, “Warriors gather, their shields glinting in the baking sun. They are ready to claim the spoils of glory… lands, riches, honor, fame…and for some… freedom”. A warm, but awesome pause in the album that will be well received and remembered. Clive’s synthesizer playing in the middle of the song is an inspirational addition to the album.
“Never Burn the Cakes”, is a reminder that while you are chasing fame and challenging yourself to do more, make sure that you also do not forget to take care of the daily needs and necessities of life. As the earbook states, “Legacy can be a capricious thing. History can often distill life into one moment of folly. King Alfred was a great king with a list of powerful victories and wonderful reforms, but he’s also the man that burnt the cakes… beware!”
“The Last Arrow”, is another of my favorite songs on the album. Clive sings, “One more arrow is my prayer to the gods. And I rise and make a stand against the rush. Holding back a tide that can never be turned. I’m ready to be crushed into the mud!” Can one person make a difference? Can one act, turn the tide? Great questions, that are set to the military thump of powerful drums from Mirko Sangrigoli. A great electric guitar solo adds to the soundscape of this song well. They end it with the cool sound of a final arrow in flight from the bow!
Laura returns to sing, “Deep”. It is her best performance on this album. It is the warm, soft, voice of Laura, that I remember from her past performances. She sings, “Here I go now. Sinking down now. This is the perfect place to hide. The world will turn but let me fade. Far beyond the searching lights. Farther than the talus caves. Settled down within the womb”. A sad, but somehow comforting song. It’s Laura’s voice that makes the theme of the song palpable.
On “Blood Moon”, Clive returns to sing the opening, as the drums warn of the coming of war. Clive sings, “Blood moon, hanging in the sky. Silent as the hours drag by. Eyes will meet across the field of conflict. The drums of war they beat so slow”. Then, Laura says, “Unleash the storm!” And battle noises and the siege begins! A momentous and epic ending to the first CD of this 2 CD set!
CD 2
“Dorian Gray (Re-Visit)” opens the second CD, with Clive’s wonderful piano. Then, Laura sings about the famous picture from Oscar Wilde’s famous story. She sings, “A dance across the picture shows negligence of age. Just emptiness and solitude to wipe the tears away. There’s sadness in their eyes. As their staring back at me. So painfully”. She has so much emotion and feeling in her vocals. Her voice is clear. No need for a lyrics sheet here. She sings, “Please forgive me. I can’t hide from you”. The perfect singer for this song.
“The Last Arrow (Acoustic Guitar and Voice)”, is the track from the first CD, with more acoustic guitar and Clive’s vocals. I think I may like this version better.
“Cry ‘Boudica!’ (Instrumental)”, is another great chance to hear this song completely encircled in its instrumental power. Complete with some additional harp, electric guitar, and flute along with keyboards and drums extraordinaire.
“When My Eyes are Closed (Piano and Voice)”, is an even softer version of the original. Laura’s voice is even more powerful accompanied only by piano.
“All There is to See (Duet Version)”, Clive sings during this duet and reinforces Laura’s words. Clive sings, “You’ll find me in this house of chaos. Wading through my manic dreams. If you’re wise you won’t come near to me!”
“The Final Redoubt (Instrumental)”, is more powerful maybe that the original with fierce drums, along with some excellent electric guitar soloing. Laura’s vocal incantations fill the air.
“Deep (Pure Strings)”, is full of orchestrated strings, like a Disney movie theme. It is wonderful to listen to and fun to immerse your ears, within its soundscape. Almost sounds like a full orchestra. Close your eyes and visualize it all.
“Dorian Gray (Acoustic Guitar Mix)”, is full of piano, Laura’s vocals and even more acoustic guitar.
“Footprints (Viking Walk)”, is a more acoustic version of the original song. Laura’s voice is even more prominent, along with those wonderful piano keys. Brilliant end to this great project.
Track List CD 1
- Cry ‘Boudica!’ 07:54
- The Final Redoubt 04:05
- Footprints 05:50
- All There is to See 03:15
- When My Eyes are Closed 06:29
- To the Victor go The Spoils 06:46
- Never Burn the Cakes
- The Last Arrow
- Deep
- Blood Moon
Track List CD 2
- Dorian Gray (Re-Visit)
- The Last Arrow (Acoustic Guitar and Voice)
- Cry ‘Boudica!’ (Instrumental)
- When My Eyes are Closed (Piano and Voice)
- All There is to See (Duet Version)
- The Final Redoubt (Instrumental)
- Deep (Pure Strings)
- Dorian Gray (Acoustic Guitar Mix)
- Footprints (Viking Walk)
Wow! I actually think Siege is a better album than Imaginaerium’s last album, The Rise of Medici. The concentration on one solid concept, Siege, (mentality), that has plagued our species since time immortal, is a powerful and important concept full of teaching moments. Many of them captured here. As a species, we do seem to move to siege in everything that is important in our lives. And Imaginaerium has enunciated them with fiery music and some of the best female vocals I have heard this year.
Listen to the lyrics and learn from these stories or the lessons offered, and try not to act hastily to avoid conflict and what has been commonly called siege mentality. We need this today, especially with all the dark changes that seem to be occurring globally in our modern world.
Band Website and Social Media Links:
https://www.imaginaerium.org/
https://imaginaerium.bandcamp.com/album/siege-16-bit
https://www.facebook.com/imaginaeriumband/
https://thebandwagonusa.com/collections/imaginaerium
YouTube and Music Video Links:
https://www.imaginaerium.org/promo-siege.mp4