Rome, Italy based alternative prog rockers STAGE OF REALITY have unleashed finally their self-titled album, (October 14th, via Rock Avenue Records U.S.A.). The new album is an impressive step ahead for the band, with two international guests such Amanda Somerville in “Back To Black” and Blaze Bayley in “Warlord”.

Each of the 11 songs (ten original compositions + one cover) depicts the sense of frustration and alienation of the human beings caused by a twisted perception of their inner selves and of the reality surrounding them. The lyrics tell stories about people who sold their dignity for greed or despair, abuse of power, pitiless warlords, hopeless old men living on the verge and, moreover, deal with some of the most obscure episodes in the Italian chronicle, such as a suicide committed by a young man from Milan and the Stefano Cucchi case.

Tracklist:

1 Spectral Drum Down
2 Think Twice
3 Warlord (feat. Blaze Bayley)
4 Not in Vain
5 Don’t Touch the Children
6 Back to Black (feat. Amanda Somerville)
7 Wake Up
8 Legitimate Rage (dedicated to Stefano Cucchi)
9 Never (remastered version)
10 Bad Religion
11 Dignity (special album remix)

“Stage Of Reality” represents the very turning point in the band’s approach to composition and writing. Unlike “The breathing machines”, entirely written by the guitarist Andrea Neri, this album is the result of a collective work to which all the members contributed. Darker tones and a more aggressive sound set this album apart from the precedent, but the fusion between alternative rock and progressive metal remains the distinguishing mark of the band.

Complementarity is the key of the composition process: the violent rhythmical patterns of the drummer Daniele Michelacci and the bassist Marco Polizzi meet the clear and powerful voice of the new singer, Damiano Borgi, whilst guitar lines are studied to give both Andrea Neri and Bernardo Nardini space to enlighten their peculiarities.

For all these reasons, the choice of a self titled album was necessary. STAGE OF REALITY is a definition of identity but also the work which introduces the band to the public directly and authentically.

Watch the metal version for the main theme of “Game Of Thrones”: