Just Reborn is an Italian symphonic metal band. The band combines rock and power metal to bring forth their own sound. Just Born released “Formae Mentis – Part I,” back on the 10th of January, in 2023.
The band was founded by the drummer and producer Jack Mx and their lead guitarist and bassist Giancarlo Russo during the winter of 2021. In the same year they started working on their debut album with lead singer Monica Bisquadro. Salvatore Danese, a long-celebrated ally of the band, was brought in to play piano and keyboards.
In May 2021 Just Reborn debuted their first music video for the album on their YouTube channel, “Strong on My Own”. They followed it with the publishing of “Don’t Hurt My Soul” and the first version of “Cynical Lies.”
The music by Just Reborn on their debut album “Formae Mentis – Part I,” is described as “a metal concept album that analyzes, by traveling the most remote meanders of the human mind, violence, falsehood, folly, desperation and the concept of a split personality.”
Most of this album is a good representative of symphonic metal from two years ago. Monica Bisquadro is a great find. Her vocals are wonderful. She sounds like a natural soprano and all of her vocals on this debut are well performed. I would love to hear the band’s next album with her singing. The electric guitar playing throughout this album is also well performed. The keyboards do help set this band apart. There is also plenty of good bass balance heard throughout the album. The drum playing keeps pace and does not get in the way of the sound.
My favorite highlights of the album include, “The Intro,” “Dreams of Euphoria,” is a spectacular song, with Monica Bisquadro’s vocals flying high amidst the spectacular lyrics. Unfortunately, the band introduces male growling into the sound to take away some of the good feelings of the music and the immaculate soundscape they were building. They introduce the male growling on “Strong on My Own,” clipping the powerful soundscape they built with Monica, at the knees.
Cool background choirs are heard on “Imago Animi,” (meaning speech is in the mirror of the mind); before a loud blast of male growling pulls the soundscape down. Monica then, returns to re-build the masterpiece of a soundscape.
The “Interlude,” is a wonderful symphonic/cinematic soundscape that I wish would have lasted forever.
But they follow it well with acoustic and metal guitar solos on “Alter Ego.” However, that incessant need to include male growling limits all that Monica, and what sounds like a duel female vocal performer were trying to build. I understand this is like a “Beauty and the Beast” story, but just let the beast sing normal and fierce; why do they need to growl? Ozzy and all the great metal singers never found the need to growl. They sounded naturally tough or eerie.
“Lonely Souls Lullaby” is another great song, with little interference from male growling, and plenty of great acoustic and metal guitar riffs, well-balanced with perfect keyboard playing. “Brain Fag,” (I think they meant brain fog), opens with wonderful soft acoustic guitar and Monica building a strong sound with the support of the keyboards, from Salvatore Danese. The drum playing is perfectly played supporting all the soundscape well. Normal male vocals can be heard in parts of the song supporting Monica before the truly magical guitar solos. It sounds so good. The keyboard playing is some of the best on the album. Please shed the growling to preserve your cinematic sound.
“Cannonball,” is not the fantastic cover of the Supertramp song that I was hoping to hear. Instead, it is a hard rocking, guitar lead song. The drums are prominent on this song.
“Cynical Lies,” is full of wonderful acoustic guitar at its opening. Then, the metal guitars, bass and drums enter the soundscape. Monica’s beautiful voice takes the edge off the sound. Regular male vocals support her. See, you do not need growling. Much better.
“Ad Aspera” is another great, galloping guitar and drum rocker full of some of Monica’s best vocals.
“Don’t Hurt My Soul” is full of good supporting male vocals, without growling. That creates a much better sound overall. Monica, at one point, takes her vocal level higher than normal and it sounds great.
The beautiful “Outro” takes us out like the end of a cinema production. A short but epic closer, indeed. The lead electric guitar buzzes as the piano plays over the soundscape…as a clock can be heard, ticking to the end.
I appreciated the opportunity to review Just Reborn’s debut metal concept album, “Formae Mentis – Part I.” It is a good album to begin the musical journey for this band. They have some great musicians and a fantastic lead singer. They just need to avoid the modern need to use male growling, and they can immerge as one of the better metal bands from Italy. I like the band’s name and the idea they love concept albums full of cinematic and symphonic music. Give Just Reborn’s, “Formae Mentis – Part I,” the opportunity to be heard. I think, even though this album has been out in the metal gallery for a while, it is an album that you may enjoy as much as I did. I just hope on the follow up they will learn they do not need the male growling to be taken seriously. Change that and this band is as good as gold!
Album Track List:
- Intro – 1:32
- Dreams of Euphoria (Featuring Timo Tolkki) – 4:51
- Strong on My Own – 4:38
- Imago Animi – 4:42
- Interlude – 0:44
- Alter Ego – 5:20
- Lonely Souls Lullaby – 3:49
- Brain Fag – 6:43
- Cannonball – 4:22
- Cynical Lies – 5:36
- Ad Aspera – 4:14
- Don’t Hurt My Soul – 5:05
- Outro – 1:00
Band Website and Social Media Links:
https://www.justreborn.band/en
https://www.justreborn.band/en/music/formae-mentis-part-i
YouTube and Music Video Links:
https://www.youtube.com/@JustReborn