MIND KEY
Frontiers Records announces the return of the Italian Prog Metal hopes MIND KEY with the release of the band's second studio album entitled "Pulse for a Graveheart" on July 3rd in Europe, August 11th in the USA with a Japanese release to follow on King Records.
Mind Key debuted in 2004 with Journey Of A Rough Diamond, an album that showed the excellent potential of the Neapolitan combo. With a colourful sound, akin to Prog Metal giants such as Dream Theater, Symphony X, Evergrey and Pain of Salvation Mind Key's music also leaned towards a more mature and song oriented approach inspired by 80/90's Hard Rock. Right before the release of the album the original singer Mark Basile left the group and in preparation of the tour dates, the guys met for the first time Aurelio Fierro Jr. a singer with a vast experience especially in theatres. He was able to give some splendid performances especially in the gigs that the band landed as support of Dream Theater for the Italian "Train Of Thought Tour 2004". Mike Portnoy said: "These guys sound really excellent!"
Mind Key played then more live dates in support of Vision Divine and Pendragon and also appeared at the Progpower Europe Festival with shows in Poland, Switzerland, Holland, Germany and France. During the Polish dates, a Live DVD was recorded "Habemus Poland", with Giorgio Adamo as frontman. However he soon left to make space for the return of Aurelio Fierro. Founding member and keyboardist Dario De Cicco explains: "We decided to go for Aurelio at the end of the songwriting sessions. Note after note, chord after chord we realized that the songs begged for Aurelio's voice and it seemed almost a necessary decision to make. I think we did the right choice as only with his astonishing performances we were able to reach what we really wanted from the new material".
The band began the recording of the second album "Pulse for a Graveheart", simplifying their songwriting and giving the chance to Fierro to showcase his immense vocal potential which can be described as a powerful mix of Ronnie James Dio, David Coverdale and Jorn Lande. The album was later mixed and mastered by none other than Dennis Ward (Pink Cream 69, Angra, Krokus, Place Vendome etc.) to ensure the best sounding quality. According to guitarist Emanuele Colella "We knew from the beginning that Dennis was the right choice! Since the first communication together a perfect synergy was built. He could understand our need and desire to combine a modern melodic metal sound with our progressive roots and an heavier edge. He could totally deliver what we and the music needed, he's just great".
"Pulse for a Graveheart" also features some amazing guest musicians appearing such as Derek Sherinian (Dream Theater, Alice Cooper), who plays a keyboard solo on "Citizen of Greed", Reb Beach (Whitesnake, Winger) on "Now Until Forever" and Tom Englund from Evergrey, dueting with Elio Fierro on "Graveheart". Mind Key's line-up now includes: Aurelio Fierro on vocals, Emanuele Colella on guitars, Dario De Cicco on keyboards and Andrea Stipa on drums.
"Pulse for a Graveheart" introduces to the fans a completely re-designed band, with a mature attitude and astonishing songwriting. "I hope the new record will give Mind Key the chance to get rid of the label of «prog metal band in the style of....» and bring us to a different status. We aim to be a Metal band - still staying true to our diverse influences ranging from progressive to hard and melodic rock - but with a personal and trademark sound" concludes Andrea Stipa. Get ready for one the Prog Metal revelations of 2009!
Final tracklisting includes: Sunset Highway; The Seventh Seal; Citizen of Greed; Crusted Memories; Dead Fame Hunter; Ventotene (The Island); Graveheart; Eye Of A Stranger; Now Until Forever; A New Generation.