Black Rose Maze - ‘Black Rose Maze’  

Review by; Jazmin

 

            Since winning over the hearts of Canada’s nation after appearing on their version of The Voice, ‘La Voix', singer-songwriter Rosa Laricchiuta marks her malefic inauguration with the solo project and self-titled album ‘Black Rose Maze.’ Laricciuta’s time spent touring with the groundbreaking US phenomenon the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, has served as an invaluable venture in marrying the components of classic hard driving rock riffs and symphonic melodies that elevate the soul.

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            In The Dark sets up the tantalizing juxtaposition between spine tingling pinch harmonics from guitarist Andrea Seveso and formidable pounding drums materialized by Michele Sanna. The entwining musical weapons of choice fight for triumph against the enticingly deadly sweet vocals emitting from Rosa.

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            The confrontational Laws of Attraction features a guest appearance from Jeff Scott Soto, also of Trans-Siberian Orchestra fame as well as fronting notable stints in Journey and Yngwie Malmsteen’s band. A sensation of intense passion surfaces as the duo’s vocals go to war amidst the music that acts as their hallowed bloodied battleground.

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            Look At Me Now and Free both flaunt vibes from the treasured 80s ballads of Heart and Pat Benatar, oozing with nostalgia. With the bittersweet heartbreak related lyrics ‘I’m letting go and you should know, a piece of us I will always hold,’ makes it easy for any listener with a shred of humanity to connect with, whilst Let Me Be Me and Maze parades with savage strength the vicious vibes of Halestorm’s Lzzy Hale.

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            This careful balancing act between the symphonic power metal song structure and prominent modern hard rock riffage is accentuated in Let Me Go and You Can’t Stop Me. With exemplary musicianship from Sanna, Seveso, and bassist Alessandro Del Vecchio, the guitar solos from Seveso carry so much weight they’ll bring you to your knees, leaving bruises on the skin and scars across the heart that you’d yearn to feel again.

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            The record ends on an empowering note of self preservation with Only You, and the finale of Call Me Now challenges the bond between electric energies and string sections. Ending the album with a note of foreboding dissonance from the piano leaves a lasting impression that sets the bar high for future endeavors from Black Rose Maze.

 

Score 4/5

 

Black Rose Maze are;

Rosa Laricchiuta - Vocals

Andrea Seveso - Guitars

Allessandro Del Vecchio - Bass & Keyboards

Michele Sanna - Drums