Italian symphonic power metal band Ivory Moon is celebrating over 20 years of releasing music with their fifth album Silent Ruins of Mars. From what I can piece together, the band first released a demo in 2002, followed by their first full length On the Edge of Time in 2004, Human Nature followed in 2007 and after that more time elapsed between albums with Dark TIme coming in 2012 and Lunar Gateway in 2020. As one might expect, band members have changed over the years, with Andrea Campisano (bass, guitars), Fabrizio Zucchini (guitars) being original members joined by Fabrizio Sciano (bass) in 2005, Loretta Venditti (vocals) in 2014, and Emiliano Cantiano (drums), Fabio Bunuglia (keyboards), and Patrizio Izzo (vocals) coming on on 2019. Silent Ruins of Mars was recorded by Andrea Campisano and mixed and mastered at Temple of Noise Studios in Rome under the guidance of producer Christian Ice Nolli.
You can often tell a lot about an album or new band to you from one track. “A Dream Can Change the World” starts out with some electronic keyboards, then the rest of the band comes in full power metal with driving guitars and drums, immediately making a good impression. The vocals trading off between Loretta Venditti and Patrizio Izzo are strong, clear and the two work very well together and on their own. The song is fast, has a solid guitar solo that is incorporated into the track well and the mixing and mastering are great allowing every instrument to be heard, which can be tricky in power metal. Great start to the album and intro to the band for me.
“Dreams Gone” has the band showing how to properly incorporate keyboards and guitars into a power metal track. Some sections the guitars drive things and the keyboards support them while in some sections the keyboards come to the forefront with guitars and drums as support. Again the combination of male and female vocals trading off and harmonizing work really well. There’s an undeniable energy in the song as it builds and the brief drum break going into the solos and guitar harmonies is a good direction for the song. Loretta Venditti gets a chance to show her upper range as well and again, it fits within the song and doesn’t come across as just a chance to showcase her abilities. Vocals again are showcased in “A Light in the Darkness” as each take a verse in the quieter sections where the guitars are delivered in short bursts and Loretta Venditti again is given a chance to show her range which is delivered full and powerful.
“It’s Not a Sin to Cheat the Devil” has the band fully embracing symphonic power metal from the electronica and guitar opening to the piano and orchestral elements in the verse sections where drums are added and then the guitars providing the low end rhythm section. I really appreciate the edge in the guitar tone in this track as often in these types of songs, everything gets smoothed out and polished and the guitars get mostly lost in the mix. The quieter, piano driven opening continues with “The Arrival” serves as a power ballad handled initially by Loretta Venditti but supported well by Patrizio Izzo, and similarly Loretta Venditti’s vocals in acapella sections of “The Discovery” are simply beautiful.
“What Doesn’t Kill Us Makes us Stronger” and “The Enemy Inside” bring in Angel Ruiz (Sombras del Destino) for some guest vocals and both songs work well and his more ragged clean vocals complement Venditti’s in a different but effective way compared to Izzo’s.”What Doesn’t Kill Us Makes Us Stronger” has elements and a feel reminiscent at times of Evanescence even though there is a bit more of a keyboard influence. “The Enemy Inside” give Angel Ruiz a bit more of an opportunity to showcase his vocals in a faster, song that has more of a straight ahead power metal feel to it and has some keyboard and guitar moments that bring to mind some of the interplay between Blackmore and Lord in Deep Purple. The album closes with “The End is my Future” which also features guest vocals, this time from Carlo Fiaschi (Nanowar of Steel). Atmospheric keyboards backing Loretta Venditti start the song but then the guitars come in and the song shifts to a darker tone. As on the rest of the album, Loretta Venditti’s vocals work well with her partner, this time, Carlo Fiaschi’s. The song has good energy and is a good way to close the album.
Ivory Moon has hit on a great lineup for their symphonic power metal. Great vocals from Loretta Venditti and Patrizio Izzo are a highlight, while the guitar work, keyboards, and rhythm section complement the vocals and provide a solid foundation for the songs. In some albums, one particular performance stands out, but in this case it’s the whole package. The arrangements, songwriting, performances, and energy put into this recording come through.
One note, the pre-release version of the album given for review had a voice over stating “ “this audio file is for your consideration only” that interrupted the listening experience every minute or so and as such was leading to a much lower score for the album since it was impossible to get a good feel for it. I hope this is not a continuing trend. My review was post-release and streamed via Spotify.
Rating: 8/10
Written by John Jackson
Tracklist
- A Dream Can Change the World
- Dreams Gone
- A Light in the Darkness
- 3.2.1 Lift Off
- It’s Not a Sin to Cheat the Devil
- The Arrival
- The Discovery
- What Doesn’t Kill Us Makes Us Stronger (feat. Angel Ruiz Mena of Sombras del Destino)
- Without Return
- The Enemy Inside (feat. Angel Ruiz Mena of Sombras del Destino)
- A New Home for Us
- The Last Goodbye
- The End is my Future (feat.Carlo Fiaschi of Nanowar of Steel)
Release Date: 30 January, 2026
Record Label: Elevate Records
Band Members
Loretta Venditti – Vocals
Patrizio Izzo – Vocals
Luca Grossi – Guitars
Fabrizio Zucchini – Guitars
Fabrizio Sclano – Bass
Fabio Bonuglia – Keyboards
Emiliano Cantiano – Drums
Weblinks
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ivorymoonofficial
Bandcamp: https://elevaterecords1.bandcamp.com/album/the-silent-ruins-of-mars
Video for “It’s Not a Sin to Cheat the Devil”:
Video for “A Dream Can Change the World”: