[Review] Blacksmith Tales – Pathway to Hamlet’s Mill

Blacksmith Tales is an Italian project born in the 1990s from an idea of David Del Fabro, with two albums to their credit. The new concept entitled “Pathway to Hamlet’s Mill” was released on September 20, 2024 via Immaginifica/Aerostella and contains eight medium-length tracks. The longest track on the album, “Hamlet’s Mill Overture,” opens the tracklist and immediately immerses us in the band’s characteristic Progressive Rock sounds. A sound that is both granitic and elaborate, with fine guitar and keyboard interlacing and a solid rhythm section enriched by continuous tempo changes. Heavy sounds are mixed with more Prog traits, with long instrumental textures that enhance the compositional and performing technique of the artists involved. After an initial instrumental part, full of Symphonic openings that blend with the Heavy Prog passages, a dynamic and incisive vocal enters. The track develops in a constant musical crescendo that culminates with a fine synth solo in the finale. Choral choruses and Folk and Metal sounds characterise the first part of “Key to the Temple,” developing into a distinctly heavy track. Interesting Symphonic openings alternate with the accelerations and the more Heavy sounds of the track, with intertwining orchestrations and keyboards creating dreamy atmospheres. The female vocal intertwines with the more energetic male vocal and a fine organ solo first and then guitar accompanies us to the track’s finale. “C’è Casa a 30 Miglia” is a short, delicate song sung in Italian, softer than its predecessors. A warm and expressive vocal and sonorities create this epic ballad, with fine instrumental work both in the background and in the second part. The vocal returns for the last verse and the song ends. A refined keyboard intro characterises “The Flame Within” and then with a change incorporates more Heavy elements with an incisive female vocal. A well-constructed track, mixing elements of symphonic progressive rock and more metal sounds, creating a sound with modern and personal traits. A solid and elaborate rhythm section, well-constructed guitar riffs interwoven with refined keyboard work and a dynamic vocal, give life to this engaging and elaborate modern Heavy Prog track. “Interlude: A Guide Through the Path” is the album’s shortest track, as per its title a short interlude with dreamy keyboard melodies. A sound steeped in Progressive and Metal elements characterises “Descent of God,” with guitar and keyboards taking the lead in the introductory part. The male vocals are warm and expressive, interpreting the lyrics with pathos, and then in the middle part leave room for an intense instrumental section with female choral parts. This instrumental section continues and accompanies us until the finale, between tempo changes and developing the central theme of the song, ending in a musical crescendo. “The Pendulum” is a track that incorporates more electronic keyboard sounds, developing a solid Progressive Rock with fresh, modern traits. The development of the concept’s theme is also good in this track, between epic passages and openings with Sci-Fi atmospheres, before returning to more classical sounds and developing a refined section. The album ends with “Dance of the Stars” a blend of Progressive Rock and Folk Rock, creating rhythmic and positive melodies and atmospheres. The female vocals fit well into the festive musical context of the song, with the theme being developed with interweaving sung parts and intense instrumental sections. Very interesting are the forays into Folk that characterize the second part. A listen that incorporates classic and modern elements between Progressive Rock and Metal with Folk Rock passages. Interesting interplays between guitar and keyboards and between male and female vocals, with a solid and elaborate rhythm section. A band with personalu and original sounds and a good technique both compositional and performing as well as an engaging storytelling in the writing of the concept lyrics. A recommended listen for all lovers of modern progressive Rock sounds with Heavy traits.

Tracklist

01. Hamlet’s Mill Overture (9:03)
02. Key to the Temple (6:05)
03. C’è Casa a 30 Miglia (3:29)
04. The Flame Within (6:18)
05. Interlude: A Guide Through the Path (1:48)
06. Descent of God (6:31)
07. The Pendulum (5:33)
08. Dance of the Stars (7:03)

Lineup

Stefano Sbrignadello / Vocals
Simone Morettin / Drums
Beatrice Demori / Vocals
Marco Falanga / Guitars, Bass
Luca Zanon / Keyboards, Synth
David Del Fabro / Piano

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Author: Jacopo Vigezzi

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