Marble – T.I.M.E.

Marble
T.I.M.E.
Label: Rockshots Records
Out: November 8^th, 2024
Playing time: 49:45

The previous album ‘S.A.V.E.’ received many good reviews. Building on this, the Italian Melodic Metal band Marble set about producing the follow-up. Just as ‘S.A.V.E.’ is the abbreviation for the instrumental closing song ‘Sins And Virtues Ending’, ‘T.I.M.E.’ also stands for the last song on the album ‘Theatre Is My Essence’. The musicians remain true to themselves. The title of the debut album ‘A.t.G.o.d.’ (2008) is also an abbreviation (‘At the Gates of Destruction’). 2008? Exactly, Marble were founded back in 2003 and the musicians took their time. There were 13 years between the first and second album. Fortunately, the wait was shorter this time. ‘T.I.M.E.’ will be released in November this year.

We are in a theatre. There is applause and the guests are welcomed. This is how ‘Beyond The Veil’ starts. But then it’s enough with the introductory gimmicks. Hard guitars can be heard. And a booming double bass. Singer Eleonora Travaglino joins in. With a Rock voice that can hold its own against the loud instruments. She sings quite high, but not in an operatic style. The guitar solo later on sounds a little hectic at times. The drums are also the driving force in ‘The Jester Duplicity’. The riffs easily keep up. Ivan Adami (Stranger Vision) can be heard as vocal partner. And ‘The Sleepless King’ continues with heavy drumming. Every now and then there are also keyboard tapestries. But for the most part, the guitars take centre stage. Sometimes when Eleonora sings, it gets a little quieter. And once again the Italians celebrate guitar solos. And Marble give neither the listener nor themselves a break. Not even on ‘Face Of Deceit’. Even if the tempo is slowed down a little at times, there is no compromise in terms of heaviness. In contrast, ‘Aftermath’ is anthemic, but also with a high tempo. With driving riffs and drumming. But then it comes, the short breathing space. ‘Voice Of Awareness’ begins as a ballad characterised by electric piano. But later on, the instruments kick in powerfully. And the tempo is sometimes borderline for a ballad. Synth sounds introduce ‘Garden Of Despair’. Powerfully underpinned by the drums and later the guitars. A song in the mid-tempo range. ‘Heliosyncrasy’ starts with sacred organ sounds. Later on, the song also moves in calmer waters. Clode Tethra from the Italian death/doom band Tethra contributes a few angry growls here. There is a short industrial introduction at the beginning of ‘Smile In Decay’. But the hard drums already hint that it won’t stay that way. Later, the song is a mid-tempo Metal anthem. With an epic chorus sung by the vocal ensemble Callride. The second guest appearance by Clode Tethra can be heard on ‘Theatre Is My Essence’. But first, synth strings introduce the song. The final song is also more in the mid-tempo range.

‘T.I.M.E.’ is on a similarly high level as its predecessor. Even if there is no real ballad here like ‘A Darker Shade Of Me’. Marble have found their style and developed it further. Banging riffs and hard drumming characterise this album. And singer Eleonora Travaglino always manages to come to the fore. She also easily keeps up the high tempo. It is noticeable that after the high tempo at the beginning, it becomes somewhat calmer later on, but without reducing the heaviness.

Marble – Theater Is My Essence: https://youtu.be/XnhMWxwjpyM?si=Z6dbH0TnY_DsSwNg

Lineup:

Jacopo Marchesi – Keyboards
Norman Ceriotti – Drums
Eleonora Travaglino – Vocals
Daniel Fleba – Bass
Omar Gornati – Guitar
Paul Beretta – Lead Guitar

Guests:

Ivan Adami – male vocals on “The Jester Duplicity”
Clode Tethra – growling vocals on “Heliosyncrasy” and “Theater Is My Essence”
GRUPPO VOCALE “CALLIRIDE” – vocal ensemble on “Smile In Decay”
David Meller – Voice Actor in “Through The Veil”
Marta Comeglio – theatrical and lyrics consulting

Track list:

• Through The Veil
• The Jester Duplicity
• The Sleepless King
• Face of Deceit
• Aftermath
• Voice Of Awareness
• The Garden Of Despair
• Heliosyncrasy
• Smile In Decay
• Theater Is My Essence