LAST UNION – Twelve

From Italy, Last Union are putting a strong foot forward with their debut album Twelve. Featuring Progressive Metal veterans Mike LePond and Uli Kusch filling out the rhythm section, this 11 song collection of Progressive Melodic Metal is tight and focused. Cristiano Tiberi and Elisa Scarpeccio on guitar and vocals, respectively, complete the band and fulfill their roles adequately. Impressively, the album also boasts Dream Theater vocalist James LaBrie on three songs. His voice and presences adds a lot to the material. It’s nice to hear him performing outside of his normal groups, albeit, in a similar style. As nice as LaBrie’s contribution is, it highlights some of the shortcomings of the band, namely Scarpeccio’s lack of enunciation. LaBrie’s delivery is melodic yet clear, while Scarpeccio’s comes across as rudderless and vague.

The album production is typically modern and European: Crisp, punchy, and processed. The overall sound of Twelve would fit in well with any other major Progressive Metal release of the past five years.

This is a well done and enjoyable debut release, although it does suffer from some immaturity in the songwriting department. The lyrical themes are all too familiar. With a few more years of chemistry between the members, we’ll probably see a more thoughtful and sophisticated release from Last Union, until then, at least we have a nicely produced and punchy Progressive Metal album to listen to.

TUNE INTO METALEXPRESSRADIO.COM at NOON & MIDNIGHT (EST) / 6:00 & 18:00 (CET) TO HEAR THE BEST TRACKS FROM THIS UPCOMING RELEASE!!!