Presence - 2024 - Them
(71:03; Black Widow Records)
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It has been eight years since the last album, which in turn was released eight years on from the previous one, but Sophya Baccini (vocals), Enrico Iglio (drums, percussion, keyboards) and Sergio Casamassima (guitar, bass) have returned with their seventh studio album. There are not many bands which can say the same people have been involved in all the releases, but when Sophya joined Hell’s Rider in the Eighties, they became Hells’ Rage, then morphed into Orphic before the trio released the debut album as Presence back in 1992. With both Enrico and Sergio having to undertake multiple roles there is no doubt that has an impact on recording time, but there have only been three albums in the last 20 years which is a real shame as here we have a Neo band with RIO tendencies which are very enjoyable indeed.
I am not sure how I missed these guys back in the Nineties as I thought I was aware of most of what was going on in the prog world back then, and was certainly involved with Black Widow, but somehow, I did, and now I wonder just what they sounded like in the early days as this is a load of fun. Their combination of two very different sub genres makes them intriguing, and there is a darkness to the music which is then overlaid with the melodic vocals of Sophya to create something which is modern, classical and timeless all at once. There is a haunting timbre to the vocals, the reverb making them mystical and magical, Gothic and inviting, but with the knowledge it may be dangerous to investigate any further. This is very much an intriguing release which progheads would do well to seek out.
Kev Rowland, November 2024
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