STARBYNARY – Dark Passenger
- by Matt Coe
- Posted on 11-01-2015
Born around an astronomy concept, this Italian act perform in a power/ progressive metal style on their debut album "Dark Passenger". A lot of virtuoso, neo-classical interplay between the guitars and keyboards intertwines against some faster, heavier riffing and soaring, multi-octave vocals. Those familiar with Labyrinth, Stratovarius, and others in that up tempo, double kick oriented ilk will know what to expect. Symphony X’s Mike LePond appears on bass, and Joe Caggianelli as a vocalist can hit all the requisite notes, yet I don’t feel the emotional resonance to help the mid-tempo "Codex" or more rhythmically intricate, keyboard fluid "…Dawn of Evil" make that breakthrough in hooks or totality.
Concluding with an almost 17 minute composition "The End Begins" that has a lot of dynamic intricacies amidst its Symphony X-like train ride, I just felt that Starbynary is off to a decent if albeit predictable start that can’t hold my interest for very long. It’s one thing to be proficient at your instrument, but quite another to integrate the subtle nuances necessary for long-term songwriting success.