Mangala Vallis – Voices
Found another great Italian prog/metal band, Mangala Vallis. They have released their new album Voices, on February 8, 2020.
The band is made up of Roberto Tiranti, on vocals; Gigi Cavalli Cocchi, on drums and percussion; Mirco Consolini, on electric and acoustic guitars, bass guitar, and vocals; Niky Milazzo, on electric guitar; and Gianfranco Fornaciari, on keyboards and vocals.
Besides Voices, the band has released three other albums: Microsolco, released March 16, 2020, Lycanthrope, released in 2005, and The Book of Dreams, released in 2002; which is a concept album, dedicated to the writer Jules Verne.
Voices opens with cool electric keys before a familiar melody that I just cannot place…whoops, there you go, Stone Temple Pilots Plush! Yes, Roberto Tiranti, almost sounds like Scott Weiland, on this track. Not to say that this is a cover, but I liked STP, and I like this song as well. The lyrics are different. Tiranti sings, “Hey girl, do you feel the same dismay. Do I speak in a riddle? I will never feel the same again”. A full-fledged rocker full of spirit.
“No Reason”, is a slower developing and paced rhythm song, full of great lyrics and vocals. Tiranti sings, “With no reason to remember, no reason to forget. We waste away in silent, until we reach the door. I know it comes in waves. I feel its movements. I can’t take this feeling any more”. The song sounds a little like a Kansas classic, without the violins. Instead the pounding drums, even guitars and ELP like keys do the work of creating an interesting and wonderful instrumental surge. A cool, Allman Brothers/Lynyrd Skynyrd rock rhythm takes over. Mixed with some cool keyboards interspersed.
“Get it While You Can”, is my favorite song on the album. It opens up with a poignancy that is powerful. The lyrics, sung by Tiranti reflect the urgency, “When you’re old enough, you will have lost all faith in miracles. Barely recognize yourself today. When you’re out of clues, bruised and torn, and weatherworn. You will find that you’re still sane”. The strings and orchestration are wonderful. Life goes fast, get it while you can. While you are young. “Next time will be too late”. The piano work is excellent, and so is the guitar solo which follows. The synthesizer work that follows after is so unexpected, but welcomed.
“The Voice Inside”, opens with cool thumping drums and excellent organ work. Tiranti sings, “How far can you reach. If I pulled the knife away, would you stand so proud before me?” The keyboards from Fornaciari sound wonderful, mixed well with bass and electric lead guitar.
“And End to an End”, is a fantastic song title. The thumping bass and drums that open the track are great. Tiranti sings, “I won’t ever trail behind you. And you will never know my name”. A relationship break-up song. Tiranti sings, “How far we’ve fallen”. Good drums, bass and electric lead guitar. A solid rocker.
“Demon”, is full of powerful electric lead guitar and synthesizer at its opening. Throbbing bass and charged drums building momentum. More rock than progressive, this music would be great to hear live. You can tell this band likes to play live by the full choruses they put together.
“Sour”, is full of piano and Tiranti’s voice. This is a vocal driven ballad, full of the best piano work on the album. The second-best song on the album and a real stunning closer.
This was a surprise album. The album cover projects one cool image of a futuristic band, but the music is more of a mix of progressive rock and more traditional AOR music. But all of the tracks on the album are worth hearing and I would be interested in hearing more of the band in the future.
Track List
- The Center of Life – 4:46
- No Reason – 6:48
- Get it While You Can – 6:20
- The Voice Inside – 6:05
- An End to an End – 6:35
- Demon – 7:21
- Sour – 4:53
https://maracashrecords.bandcamp.com/album/mangala-vallis-voices