The 4th Mirror Under a Black Sun
by Justin Gaines
Staff Writer
The 8-song promotional CD Under a Black Sun is the initial offering from Italian instrumental metal band the 4th Mirror (also called the IV Mirror). There’s an expectation with instrumental albums that it’s either going to be an Yngwie Malmsteen style shred-fest, or a progressive metal clinic like Gordian Knot or Liquid Tension Experiment. The 4th Mirror opted for a different approach.
The songs on Under a Black Sun sound like melodic metal songs that just so happen to have no vocals. The plus side of this style is that the songs sound like honest-to-goodness songs, and not just guitar solos stapled together. The down side is that despite some impressive solos, melodies that jump right out at you, and a definite sense of emotion and energy, there just aren’t enough progressive metal pyrotechnics to hold the listener’s attention. It’s an album that really needs a vocalist to sing, shout, growl or otherwise articulate the message behind these otherwise well-written songs. It’s an album that also desperately needs a proper producer and mixing/mastering job. Obviously this is a demo recording and not some fully-financed label offering, but the production job is noticeably choppy and uneven, and does not to the music justice at all.
It will be interesting to see how the band progresses and where they go from here. The 4th Mirror has potential, to be sure. These are obviously talented musicians with a skill for writing emotional instrumental songs, which is no mean feat. Unfortunately Under a Black Sun just doesn’t measure up in terms of overall quality.
Label: Independent
Lineup:
Michele Bertolasi: Drums
Samuel Boggian: Guitars, Digital Effects
Pierangelo Coraggia: Bass, Digital Effects
Massimiliano Zaglia: Guitars
Track Listing:
1. Intro
2. Fury
3. Beyond the Mirror
4. Interlude
5. Fola Klock
6. Black Emotion
7. Nicotomania
8. Waiting for Life
Online: On MySpace
Hardrock Haven Rating: 5/10