INFINITE RISING

Space rock meets instrumental virtuosity. An instrumental power trio playing extended range instruments – eight-string guitar and six-string bass – it’s tempting to compare Infinite Rising to Animals As Leaders. However, these Italians bring their own personality to progressive metal, with a style they describe as ‘spatial prog’. Sci-fi themes permeate Awakening, reflected in the song titles and the feeling of exploring the vastness of space. There’s constant dialogue between Federico Albanese’s guitar and Silvia Pistolesi’s bass, passing melodic ideas back and forth, and taking turns to establish musical themes. Pistolesican harmonise with the guitar or lock in with drummer Alessandro Formichi to highlight a groove. Nocturnal Skywatchers begins in a drifting, relaxed mood, like watching the stars come out at dusk before Albanese introduces a menacing theme that evokes…