Khali - Khali

Year of Release: 2000
Label: Scarlet Reocrds
Catalog Number: n/a
Format: CD
Total Time: 45:35:00

Out of Italy comes this super-group consisting members from various Italian prog metal bands such as Time Machine, Moon of Steel, Mesmerize, Skylark, White Skull, N8, Archangel and Abighor. This is their debut CD and is well worth writing a few words about.

I don't know what it is, but this CD has a special atmosphere to it. Those familiar with Time Machine's latest masterpiece Eternity Ends probably know what I'm talking about, as that CD has the same slightly dark, theatrical and mystic mood and atmosphere to it. Having that in mind, Khali is very close in style to Time Machine's Eternity Ends. Other comparisons that come to mind are House of Spirits and Queensryche's Operation: Mindcrime and Empire. As you might understand, this is high class semi-prog metal.

The music is not overly complex, although there are some nice tempo/time changes to be found alongside some outstanding guitar work. It's very guitar-dominated with superb mid-to-high ranged vocals by Falco Orlandi. There are many great songs to be found here. Opener "Cyberpleasure" and "Somebody Haunts Me" are prime examples of this kind of music. All killer songs! Having that said, there are also a couple of mediocre songs to be found, which in the end let this album down from being fantastic to very good.

The production is solid, actually much better than most other Italian prog metal releases. I'm very exited about this band, as they have something special going here. Their sound is very personal and interesting. I can't wait to see if there will be a new album someday. Fans of bands like Time Machine, House of Spirits and Queensryche need to check this one out. Fans of prog metal in general, listen before you buy! Worth checking out!

[This review originally appeared November 2002 at the ProgPower Online review site -ed.

Tracklisting:
Cyberpleasure (6:43) / Another Day (7:37) / Somebody Haunts Me (5:10) / Wind Of Ages - Chapter I (9:02) / Wind Of Ages - Chapter II (2:16) / Spiritual Distortions (4:59) / Heaven Again (5:42) / So Far Away (5:26)

Bonus track on reissue 'Will You Remember' (4:02)

Musicians:
Lorenzo Deho - bass, keyboards
Folco Orlandini - vocals
Joe Taccone - guitars
Nick Rossetti ? drums

Discography:
Khali (2000)
Khali: A Trip Through Cyberspace (2004) (first album, reissued w/bonus track)

Genre: Progressive-Power Metal

Origin IT

Added: December 29th 2004
Reviewer: Bjørnar Bevolden
Score:
Artist website:
Hits: 2296
Language: english