The versatility of power metal knows no limits – review of Labyrinth’s “In the Vanishing Echoes of Goodbye”

I am quite proud to be Italian. Italy is most certainly not a perfect country nor an idyllic place to live in, but we also have good things. For example, we can brag about pizza, amazing historical places and even more marvellous power metal bands, just like Labyrinth. These talented lads are about to release their 10th album titled “In the Vanishing Echoes of Goodbye” via Frontiers Music srl.

And if you know me, you know I’m not ashamed to say that I have a humongous crush on their founder and guitarist Olaf Thorsen, so we’re already cooking with a wood stove here. Thorsen, while being in several bands, never abandons quality to focus on quantity. Everything he works on is meticulously crafted, nothing is done casually, like a maestro of guitar would righteously do.

This time they are experimenting more outside their borders of pure power metal, touching almost the speed and melodic lands, while drifting slightly away from the progressive side. Labyrinth can do anything and even more, so it’s refreshing to see that they want to try new things! The mixing, mastering and production of this record are top-notch, and we can hear the full band shining as they should. Even the bass by Nik Mazzucconi, that others might choose to hide into the mix, here instead is present without shadowing other instruments.

Roberto Tiranti’s voice, unmistakable as always, radiates a brighter light, especially in tracks like “Out Of Place“, “The Healing” or “To The Son I Never Had“, where his expressivity comes out without restraints. Andrea Cantarelli does an amazing job on guitar, holding up the rhythmic section with the massive drums of Matt Peruzzi. Oleg Smirnoff on keyboards fills in and creates atmospheres that just wouldn’t be the same without his instrument.

So if you’re looking for some well-done power metal, “In the Vanishing Echoes of Goodbye” is absolutely a solid choice. Labyrinth has pushed the boundaries of their art even further than before, and it would be a poor choice to overlook this album. They have delivered a great record and we must praise their consistency in keeping the standards very high.

Tracklist:

1. Welcome Twilight
2. Accept The Changes
3. Out Of Place
4. At The Rainbow’s End
5. The Right Side Of This World
6. The Healing
7. Heading For Nowhere
8. Mass Distraction
9. To The Son I Never Had
10. Inhuman Race