The Italian band Watermill was formed in Rome in 2019, offering a progressive metal sound with modern traits. The new EP “Origins” was released on March 24, 2024 and contains 5 long tracks ranging from 5 to over 7 minutes in length. The opener “Electric Sheep’s Dream” is also the longest, exceeding seven minutes in duration. The track opens with hypnotic guitar arpeggios in the background over which synth melodies, protagonists in this first part, are inserted. The drumming is solid and elaborate and together with the deep bass lines create a distinctly Prog rhythm section, enriched by odd time signatures and tempo changes. Closer to Progressive Rock sounds than Metal, this is a pleasant start to the album, showing the band’s technique both in composition and execution, creating long instrumental textures with intertwining keyboards and guitar, and the drums-bass combination offering a rhythm section suited to a Prog sound like this. In the middle part, the guitar offers an interesting solo cue, and then in the final part returns to the initial theme of the song and ending in a musical crescendo. A fresh, modern sound enriched by modulations and effects opens “Watermill,” which immediately evolves into what is a more heavy sound than its predecessor. Halfway between Progressive Rock and Prog Metal, with a killer bassline and continuous tempo changes characterising its structure. The intensity increases as the track evolves with frenetic guitar solos and a sound that explores Metal sounds with forays into Fusion. Technical and with virtuoso passages, it is a track that enhances the band’s technique, this track is the right meeting point between Heavy sounds and more technical and elaborate passages. “Equation’s Fracture” opens with synth melodies, markedly Heavy electric guitar work in both riffs and the usual knife-sharp inserts. The band alternates fine symphonic openings in Prog Rock style with the piano in evidence with more aggressive and frenetic passages, here too the compositional technique and some virtuosic performances are emphasised. Another good track, successful and engaging, rich in ideas and with sounds in line with modern releases of the genre, proposed with a personal touch. In a continuous succession of guitar and synth twists, tempo changes and intricate passages, in the finale the band explores the heavier side of Progressive Metal with an accelerated rhythm and Heavy riffs closing in a crescendo. After the powerful previous track, “Aquarius” opens with guitar arpeggios and an atmospheric keyboard background. The bass bursts in with a piercing hypnotic bassline, while a dark atmosphere permeates the track. The long instrumental textures range across genres and styles, alternating between heavier and more symphonic moments, without ever losing focus on the band’s signature prog sound. The phrasing and interweaving between guitar and synth are interesting, both in the melodies and in the solos that follow one another throughout the whole song. The band here shows the darker side of their sound. The album ends with “Planets,” another six-minute track that continues to explore the Heavy sounds of prog, with elaborate rhythms and guitar playing from the first notes. Here too a dark atmosphere permeates the track, alternating heavy riffs and more metal sounds with softer, symphonic openings. The solo interludes are interesting and the song concludes this pleasant tracklist with intensity. An EP that shows the different facets of the band’s sound through an enjoyable and well constructed tracklist, moving from Progressive Rock to the heavier Progressive Metal, and everything in between. The guitar and keyboard work is interesting, and the rhythm section is solid and elaborate, with well-constructed tempo changes. A recommended listen for lovers of Modern Progressive Metal/Rock instrumental sounds, with good phrasing between guitar and keyboards and technical, virtuoso passages alternating with more Symphonic moments.
Tracklist
01. Electric Sheep’s Dream (7:02)
02. Watermill (5:02)
03. Equation’s Fracture (5:21)
04. Aquarius (6:10)
05. Planets (5:59)
Lineup
Danilo Congiu / Guitar
Giancarlo Agugliaro / Bass
Christian Agugliaro / Drums
Synths: composed by Danilo, Giancarlo and Christian
