Album Reviews

ATHENA XIX “Everflow Part 1: Frames of Humanity” Album Review by Jorge Pozo

Jorge Pozo

December 5, 2024

Twenty-six years after Fabio Lione’s debut with ATHENA XIX (then simply Athena) on A New Religion?, the original lineup has reassembled to craft a remarkable comeback album that pushes the boundaries of progressive metal. The long-awaited return showcases a band that has matured like fine wine, delivering a complex tapestry of sound that interweaves technical prowess with emotional depth.

The album opens with the titular track, Frames of Humanity, setting a haunting precedent with its blend of modern progressive elements and classic metal sensibilities. Simone Pellegrini’s guitar work immediately establishes the heavier direction the band has taken, creating intricate patterns that dance between technical thrash and melodic progressive metal. The track serves as a powerful introduction to the album’s conceptual narrative about humanity’s decline and potential salvation.

Legacy of the World demonstrates ATHENA XIX’s evolved songwriting approach, with Gabriele Guidi’s keyboards painting electronic landscapes that seamlessly merge with the metallic foundation. The integration of modern production techniques with classical progressive elements showcases the band’s ability to honor their roots while pushing forward into new sonic territories.

The technical mastery continues with The Day We Obscured the Sun, where Alessio Sabella’s bass work shines through with impressive dexterity. The song’s structure perfectly balances complexity with accessibility, featuring one of the album’s most memorable choruses while maintaining the technical edge that defines the record. Matteo Amoroso’sdrumming provides a solid foundation while adding flourishes that enhance the song’s dynamic range.

The Seed stands as one of the album’s heaviest offerings, with Lione delivering a vocal performance that rivals his best work with Angra and Rhapsody of Fire. The track’s arrangements demonstrate the band’s jazz influences while maintaining a metal core, creating a unique fusion that sets ATHENA XIX apart from their contemporaries.

In The Calm Before the Storm, the band experiments with electronic elements more prominently, creating a modern progressive metal sound that feels fresh and innovative. The integration of synthesized elements with traditional metal instrumentation shows their willingness to expand their sonic palette while maintaining their identity.

What You Most Desire and The Conscience of Everything form a powerful mid-album duo, with the former showcasing the band’s ability to craft complex arrangements while keeping the listener engaged, and the latter delivering some of the most emotionally charged moments on the record. Lione’s vocal performance here is particularly noteworthy, demonstrating both power and nuance.

The album’s latter half maintains its momentum with Where Innocence Disappears and Idle Mind, both featuring intricate instrumental passages that highlight each member’s technical proficiency without descending into self-indulgence. The production quality throughout allows each instrument to breathe while maintaining a cohesive sound.

Synchrolife serves as one of the album’s most progressive pieces, with its unconventional structure and brave compositional choices. The track demonstrates ATHENA XIX’s willingness to take risks, incorporating elements of jazz fusion and electronic music into their progressive metal framework.

The album concludes with the epic combination of Inception and The Departure, providing a fitting end to this first chapter of the Everflow saga. The final tracks encapsulate everything that makes this album special: technical proficiency, emotional depth, and creative songwriting.

Standout tracks include The Day We Obscured the Sun, Synchrolife, and The Conscience of Everything, though the album is best experienced as a complete journey. The production quality throughout is exceptional, allowing the intricate arrangements to shine while maintaining a powerful, modern sound.

With Frames of Humanity, ATHENA XIX proves that time and distance have only sharpened their artistry. This album is more than just a comeback; it’s a statement of resilience and evolution, showing a band unafraid to explore new horizons while staying true to their progressive metal roots. From the soaring vocals of Fabio Lione to the intricate instrumental interplay of the entire lineup, every track showcases the band’s maturity and technical brilliance.

For long-time fans, this album feels like a long-overdue reunion with old friends, while new listeners will find an entry point into the sophisticated and emotionally charged world of ATHENA XIX. Frames of Humanity stands as a testament to the enduring power of progressive metal and sets a high bar for the band’s future endeavors.

Rating: 8.5/10

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