Rating: 7.5/10
Release: 8 June 2018
Label: Rockshots Records

Pyaneta, the fifth and most recent work of MaterDea, comes from Italy with its characteristic sound that mixes symphonic, power and some folk metal. Its symphonic sound is well handled and their folk essence stands out in the lyrics and album theme, focused on the planet, nature, and life; a theme very typical of the folk music genre that we can see also in the cover art.

The album starts creating expectation and then, music enters with the energy expected from a metal release, where the guitars give a proper welcome with ‘Back to earth’ – a very powerful track.
Listening to different songs, you come to a thought that the musical energy could go down, but again, the music comes back with the necessary vigor to remember the musical genre you are listening to, although upon entering Simon’s voice, there is a momentary calm, it is very nice to feel that MaterDea is not going to leave us without headbanging for a long time.
Musically, some arrangements went out of the ordinary, what to the ears of the audience, feels fresh, which it’s kinda part of MaterDea’s signature. Through ‘Pyaneta’, we witnessed a back and forth of symphonic and power style, and played instruments, give this album a plus. Proof of this, the sound of the violin in ‘S’Accabadora’ and the percussions sounds.
The melodies style is consistent throughout the disc, what in some cases, could feel similar to other songs within the same album.
‘The Legend of the Pale Mountains’ brings calm, and in my opinion, standing out along with ‘Neverland’ and ‘Metamorphosis’ -my three favorites-, and finally, ‘Bourré del Diavolo’ contributes a little more vocally to say goodbye to the album with a great song and a great performance.

There is nothing left to do but wait for the end of the current crowdfunding campaign for his video “Thousand and One Nights” and if you can, support the band so they can continue with such a good job.

Tracklist

1. Back To Earth 6:01
2. The Return of the King 5:37
3. One Thousand and One Nights 5:08
4. Pyaneta 5:36
5. Neverland 6:33
6. S’Accabadora 7:08
7. The Legend of the Pale Mountains 6:26
8. Legacy of the Woods 5:51
9. Coven of Balzaares 6:23
10. Metamorphosis 5:41
11. Bourrè del Diavolo 3:11