TWINSPIRITS – Legacy

Twinspirits is a very innovative, Italian Progressive Metal band featuring a very accomplished Swedish lead singer. Legacy is the band’s third album, and the second album with vocalist Goran Nystrom. It’s safe to say that Twinspirits have matured significantly since the release of their first two albums, and have finally developed a definitive sound and chemistry that should propel them to the forefront of Progressive Metal.

This album is very unique in the fact it is a “partial” concept album. Legacy is essentially divided into two main parts. The first six tracks are very powerful, straightforward Rock songs that are progressive in nature. The second part of the album is the five song “Endless Sleep” suite. This section is very theatrical and progressive, and has a completely different feel from the beginning of the album.

The opening track “Senseless” has a feeling similar to an opening number of a Broadway musical. The first few minutes of the nearly 8-minute song contains a whirlwind of instrumental selections. The song suddenly becomes sullen and melancholy as the vocals begin, and actually turns into a fine and inspiring performance. It also showcases the deep and powerful vocals of Nystrom. His low and brooding style is very reminiscent of the Blaze Bayley Iron Maiden albums.

One of the other songs of note in the first part of the album, “Over And Over Again”, is a very commanding Hard Rock style track featuring some very heavy guitar riffs. During this track Nystrom portrays a significant amount of anguish and torment in his vocals … especially during the catchy chorus lines. Once again he is able to easily reveal the emotion of the song within his singing. This rare talent is something that many vocalists try to achieve, and Nystrom is a true natural indeed.

The 30-minute, 6-song, “Endless Sleep” suite is essentially a concept story about a person who has passed away, and describes the various out of body experiences involved in his death. As the story goes on, he gets a second chance at life, but struggles with the new human identity that he has been given. Lyrically, it is a very existential piece and creative as well. Musically, the suite is extremely progressive. There are several musical themes throughout the entire suite, and they rely more on harmonies, keyboards, and orchestrations, as opposed to the harder, riff-driven tracks heard earlier on the album. Although the band can be applauded for its creativity and gambling to produce something new and innovative, it lacks the captivating elements that make it truly memorable.

Twinspirits is an extremely interesting and talented band, to say the least. Their growth into making a more guitar-oriented, Rock style of music is a treat, and will hopefully propel them to a bright future. Their downfall, at least on this album, is trying to recreate a Rock Opera, which is simply not very trendy at the moment.