Continuing the trilogy begun five years ago, Ranestrane, passionate about Kubrick's work, continues his rereading of the "Space Odyssey" and delivers the final episode ("Starchild") with a still stable formation.
The Italians remain faithful to their neo-progressive style tinged with a very transalpine emphasis, made of very present keyboards and rather lyrical guitars, to which Daniele Pomo's voice brings a typical touch, with its warm and discreetly hoarse timbre that fits perfectly with the slightly dramatic atmosphere wanted by the subject's ambition. The first track can even be an excellent introduction to the band's neo-progressive style with a rather slow rhythm up to the big dominating synth solo, then the guitar at the end of the piece, which allows to vary the ambiances.
Most of the tracks, chained to each other as it should be on a concept-album, are built on this same proven pattern, except for the consistent 'Stargate' mainly instrumental, consisting of a juxtaposition of well-arranged sequences. The solos come from different instruments, with various keyboards (Hammond and church organ on 'Sognero Mai') or relevant guitar interventions (among others, Steve Rothery's excellent score on 'Ambasciatore delle Lacrime'), supported by a melodic bass, drums that can be discreet or deep, always inventive ('Prometeo tra le Stelle') and a vocal interpretation between discreet theatricality and sensitivity ('Stargate').
However, it lacks a bit of madness and originality to propel this 'Stargate' to the stars. This is the risk when using proven means: in a universe as codified as the neo-progressive, an extravagance, a bit of incongruity, of unexpected dynamism allow to erase the lack of asperities of this easily accessible (and by the same token, very pleasant) but a bit smooth style. Very honorable mention all the same!