For more than 25 years, Labyrinth has traced its path with valour. There were ups in the beginning of their career in a progressive metal vein coming from the Italian scene in the line of DGM or Secret Sphere but also downs in the middle of the 2000s. But since its reformation in 2016 and the release of "Architecture Of God", the band has found stability with a renewed line-up around Andrea Cantarelli and Roberto Tiranti. The following is "Welcome To The Absurd Circus", ninth album in the form of a tragic report on a world in perdition facing the crises it must face. It allows to find a classic progressive metal. Labyrinth knows its job with a good capacity to mix ambiences between catchy melodies and striking power.
Labyrinth essentially offers a cocktail of Italian style progressive metal, with all the known ingredients: melodic and powerful vocals, technique perfectly in place on the riffs and the keyboard and good catchy choruses. Added to this are good breaks and changes of rhythm for a result of goldsmith pleasant to listen to that will delight the lovers of beautiful melodies.
But Labyrinth also offers some softer moments. 'A Reason To Survive' is a beautiful melancholic power ballad carried by an excellent and very pure vocal and a highlighted keyboard. More energetic, 'As Long As It Lasts' and 'Sleepwalker' show depth with a melodic strength worthy of the early Symphony X and a technique at the service of the music. The only downside comes from the cover of the classic 'Dancing With Tears In My Eyes' strangely placed in the middle of the album. The result is correct but does not bring much and would have been better as a bonus.
"Welcome To The Absurd Circus" is a solid album of classy progressive metal. Of course Labyrinth doesn't revolutionize the genre but it's a nice band who knows how to be interesting and whose qualities we appreciate.