NEXUS OPERA – Tales from WWII
- by Matt Coe
- Posted on 23-01-2015
A keyboard heavy power metal sextet, Nexus Opera hail from Italy and although starting their band in 2002, we finally get a debut album in "Tales from WWII" 12 years later. Unfortunately, this hasn’t been worth the wait, as in my opinion the drumming, overall hooks and arrangements never elevate themselves above the pack in a genre that is known for high quality acts like Stratovarius, Labyrinth, and Lost Horizon. I gave this record a solid five passes, and each time felt deflated, and the occasional studio effects to vocalist Davide Arico didn’t help matters other ("Nacht Hexen" coming off comical perhaps).
"Freedom Fighters" and the playful "Return of a Hero" possess a glimmer of hope in Nexus Opera’s future, but they need to really refine a lot of the basics and not be so predictable in terms of melodies or main hooks – and please if you have two guitarists in a power metal band, let them shine as the keyboards do not have to be the driving force.
Better luck next time gentlemen.