Platens – Of Poetry And Silent Mastery

Platens
Of Poetry And Silent Mastery
Avalon/Marquee (Japan) / Art of Melody Music/Burning Minds Music Group (worldwide)
Out: 21. July 21^st, 2021 (Japan) / July 23^rd, 2021 (worldwide)
Playing time: 01:02:15

Platens is the brainchild of Dario Grillo, producer, multi-instrumentalist, songwriter. He has decided to continue the legacy of the first two albums from 2004 and 2014. He learned to play guitar at the age of six. Already played in several bands, like Thy Majestie or Violet Sun (together with his brother Alex on drums). Now the third album “Of Poetry And Silent Mastery” is finished. The two brothers have brought a number of guest musicians on board. In July, the album was first released in Japan and a few days later worldwide.

The master can already impress with “Conspiracy”. He doesn’t even try to follow in the footsteps of Rhapsody (of Fire). A powerful midtempo rocker. Especially the double bass provides a lot of sound pressure. OK, the synth solo is very Italian, but more reminiscent of bands like Temperance, who coquet with greater levels of heaviness. The female voice (who?) would also fit well to this band. With “Wait For Me” it continues exactly where the opener left off. AOR of the better kind. “Easily” is also extremely suitable for airplay. One of the highlights of the album is probably the soulful ballad “The Path”, because here, too, the low tones come through again and again. After a synth introduction, “End Of The World” comes across quite (midtempo) Metal. Great riffs are framed by the again heavy drumming, partly with real double bass attacks. “Paralyzed” is more progressive. This is also a tradition in this southern European country. And guitar sorcerer Davide Perruza contributes an ingenious guitar solo. Instead, “Winter” sounds a bit more melancholic. Not a real ballad, but very close. “Open Arms” and “Where The River Flows” have an eighties stadium rock flair. Open Arms” and “Where The River Flows” have an eighties stadium rock flair. While “Give Or Let Go”, which can be heard between both songs, is a touching piano ballad. Also on “Close But Far” you can hear good e-piano work again, underpinned by strings. Add to that the beguiling voice of Katya Miceli. So another ballad to close the regular part of the album? Not quite, later the song really picks up speed and rocks out.  While there are three bonus tracks on the Japanese edition, there is only “Fragile” on the international edition. And this one has it all. For the last time, the subwoofer really tries to bounce. And Dario sings in his mother tongue.

When I read that Platens is a solo project with family support and many guests, I was sceptical at first. But “Of Poetry And Silent Mastery” is a very good album. Dario proves that he is indeed a multi-instrumentalist and knows all his instruments inside out. And his brother does an excellent job behind the battery. An album that fans of 80s stadium rock should definitely listen to.

Platens – “Wait For Me” Official Video: https://youtu.be/wTg4Jaxe_cc

Lineup:

Dario Grillo – Vocals, Guitars, Bass, Keyboards, Orchestra Scores
Alex Grillo – Drums, Percussion

Special guests:

Katya Miceli – Vocals on “Winter” and “Close But Far”
Gabriels – Synth Solos on “Conspiracy”, “End Of The World”, “Inferno”
Mirko Turchetta – Guitar Solo on “Open Arms”
Dan Logoluso – Guitar Solo on “End Of The World”
Orazio Fontes – Guitar Solo on “Close But Far”
Davide Perruzza – Guitar Solo on “Paralyzed”

Track list:

• Conspiracy
• Wait For Me
• Easily
• The Path
• End Of The World
• Paralyzed
• Winter
• Open Arms
• Give Or Let Go
• Where The River Flows
• Close But Far
• Fragile (Bonus Track)