Brazilian prog-metallers Maestrick bring their third full length release and first since 2018.

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‘Espresso Della Vita: Lunare’ follows the previous release ‘Espresso Della Vita: Solare’. This four piece fully flex their musical muscles across the twelve tracks on offer. Fábio Caldeira (Lead Vocal/Piano, Synths and Orchestrations), Guilherme Carvalho (Guitars/Vocal), Renato Somera (Bass/Vocal) & Heitor Matos (Drums and Percussion/Vocal) deliver an album full of progressive power, symphonic style and eccentric energy.

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There is a vaudeville like style to the short intro track ‘A Very Weird Beginning’ and the following ‘Upside down’. This is executed and delivered impressively, whilst encased in the prog-metal bombast. ‘Boo!’ is an eccentric powerhouse track, offering differing vocal stylings as each member of the band appear to offer their vocals on the album. Maestrick are clearly a talented collection of musicians.

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‘Ghost Casino’ offers more quirky, carnival vibes within its soundscape. The nine minute epic ‘Mad Witches’ offers swirling symphonic power akin to more recent Nightwish material. It provides a different dynamic and raises the bar for an already impressive album! The ballad ‘Sunflower Eyes’ offers a splendid vocal performance. Musically the band play with an effortless elegance to compliment this.

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‘The Root’ has more bombast and bluster, leaning into Dream Theater territory. Despite its twelve minute length it soars by with pulsating prog majesty. The band really unleash their entire musical arsenal here. The atmospheric ‘Dance of Hadassah’ has an ethereal quality to it musically and vocally. The musical might of the band is highlighted on ‘Agbara’.

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More progressive, atmospheric power provides another very good track for the album in ‘Lunar Vortex’. ‘Ethereal’ is a solid addition for the album ahead of the 18 minute album closer. ‘The Last Station (I am Leaving)’ is the final stop on the journey through this album. Taking the listener on a prog journey all of its own.

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Maestrick might well be a new name on you and I but they certainly have everything you need to appeal to the prog-metal masses.

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You owe it to yourself to give ‘Espresso Della Vita: Lunare’ a listen!