MAESTRICK - Espresso Della Vita: Lunare

MAESTRICK

Album: Espresso Della Vita: Lunare

Genre: Progressive Powermetal

Release Date: May 2nd, 2025

Country: Brazil

Label: Frontiers Music Srl

Band Links: LISTEN / INSTAGRAM / FACEBOOK

Brazilian Progressive Powermetal band MAESTRICK are back with their new opus, "Espresso Della Vita: Lunare", rolling in with full force. The mighty train on the cover already shows the connection to their previous album, as both records together tell the story of a one-day train ride as a metaphor for our journey in life, daytime and nighttime. The protagonist - revealed at the end to be “Dante” - travels through stations that symbolize the emotional highs and lows of the human condition, from personal hell to inner paradise.

There are several illustrious guest appearances with Tom Englund, Jim Grey, and Roy Khan joining for one song each, as well as the Movimento Baque Mulher maracatu group, the Sharsheret Choir, and Broadway singer / actress Giulia Nadruz bringing in their beautiful voices.

Following a story-line offers to be creative without stylistic boundaries, and Maestrick absolutely go all in. Opening with "A Very Weird Beginning" leading into "Upside Down" sets a mystic, cinematic mood thanks to great orchestral / choir arrangements, melted with heavy rocking and Haken-esque passages.

Next up is "Boo!", a powerful Metal song delivering a kind of spooky story. The following “Ghost Casino” could also be part of an Andrew Lloyd Webber musical, inviting to dance and sing along. "Mad Witches" starts with a beautiful piano / vocal intro, then gets really wild with furious guitar / xylophone runs, before they slow things down for the balladic "Sunflower Eyes", carried by Fábio Caldeira's marvelous performance.

"The Root" leads us into proggy fields again, led by sophisticated rhythms and vigorous guitar work, also including a mesmerizing solo by keyboard wizard Charles Soulz. He was also involved for some sound design, and is part of the live band now. Over the next songs, they take us further through the broad musical landscape until we reach "The Last Station (I a.m. leaving)", closing the journey with an epic finale.

It's amazing to hear how much Maestrick have grown as musicians and song-writers since the last album. My favorite tracks might be "Boo!", "Ghost Casino", "Mad Witches", and "The Root", but at the end of the day, "Espresso Della Vita: Lunare" works best in its entirety. I love the playfulness they show in all directions without losing the red thread, and manage to keep the listener's attention for 1 hour 18 minutes. Just take a seat and enjoy the ride...

Written by Katha