Lion Music
Release : february 20th 2009

Tracklist “From Within” :
Over The Hills
Promises you’ve made
Memories Remain
The Rage Behind
Save Another Day
Hypocrisy
Road To Nowhere
Simple Mind
The Hitman
Never Say Good bye

Astra is a progressive metal group which comes from Italy and « From Within » is their new album. The style of the group could be describe to be a mix of Symphony X, Vanden Plas, of the first Dream Theater and Queen with some AOR touches !!! So all has been said … this « From Within » is just simply a very good quality and very accessible album. The tracks have the benefit of good musical arrangements which are making it rich and worked. The compositions are varied, melodic with sometimes very present chorus. Titta Tani (among others Necrophagia…) is just simply excellent with a powerful, warm, well at place, very varied, melodic voice. The guitars are melodic and powerful and the rhythmic Section is efficient and powerful. You coul find Queen’s influences in the choirs of « Memories Remain » or in the ballad « Never Say Goodye ». The tracks, of course progressive, are going into intensity and in progression musically and vocally speaking. The keyboards are never too much present and give nice melodic layers. The compositions have very worked instrumental passages where the guitars playing are excellent. I admit having hard time to take out one track rather than another one because the album is a success that I can only recommend you.

Line up :
Titta Tani (chant) (vocals)
Silvio D’Onorio De Meo (guitare) (guitars)
Emanuele Casali (claviers/gutiare) (keyboards/guitars)
Andrea Casali (basse) (bass)
Filippo Berlini (batterie) (drums)

Contacts :
http://www.myspace.com/astraprog
http://www.astraprog.com