Just two weeks ago I reviewed the impressive new offering from American/Greek Metal band Prydain featuring a certain Bob Katsionis on bass and additional guitars, a fortnight later the multi-instrumentalist turns up here on the keyboards for Italian Melodic Power Metal band Wonders. It’s no great surprise, he’s a talented musician in demand with his fingers in more pies than a quality controller at Greggs, but one thing is generally for sure – if Bob’s involved, the quality will be high – and once more, it is. Hot on the heels of 2021’s debut “The Fragments Of Wonder”, we are treated to another fine slab of Melodic Power Metal from this fledgling Italian band, that is the perfect continuation from that striking debut.
The line-up is thankfully stable; the Lunesu brothers, Giorgio and Pietro Paulo on drums and guitar respectively, with vocalist Marco Pastorino (Temperance, Virtual Symmetry, ex-Secret Sphere) and fellow Temperance bassist Luca Negro, all putting in the exemplary performances you would expect if you had heard the previous album and indeed the 2017 offering. Vocally, Pastorino continues to build on his Italian flamboyance, staying mainly within a mid-ish range, but seems to have further grown in confidence within his commanding role. The songs are catchy, melody-heavy, solid Melodic Power Metal with occasional progressive/symphonic touches and of course the production is excellent. There’s a couple of quicker tracks and one ballad with the rest falling in between, varying in pace and emphasis whilst maintaining a constant kick of energy and heaviness.
Even though by design there’s nothing particularly unique that sets Wonders apart from some others in this genre, there is now however the echo of a style that is audibly them. The debut set the scene, but the accessible music alongside the big memorable choruses and silky-smooth vocals have a familiarity now that is becoming their own. Yes, there’s a nod to bands such as Secret Sphere, Stratovarius, Pagan’s Mind and others, but delivered with an identity that Wonder are creating effectively for themselves. The stamp of approval that the inclusion of Bob Katsionis in your line-up lends to any band can obviously give a debut an initial leg up, but two alums in as this band gains momentum, it’s clear that this is a band thriving as it continues to grow into its own identity.
(8/10 Andy Barker)
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