Labyrinth - 'Welcome To The Absurd Circus' Album Review

Labyrinth is an Italian prog and power metal outfit that has been around since the nineties. Like most acts that have been around that long, they have weathered their fair share of lineup changes. The current lineup is working well because the band's newest effort Welcome To The Absurd Circus is a really strong and a "must hear." The album is on Frontiers.

A lot of the album reminds me of classic Queensryche and I think that is a good thing. I guess this isn't so surprising: members of Labyrinth are apparently big fans of Queensryche, just like us. 

There are super fast riffs for the power-metal fans, but a lot of Welcome To The Absurd Circus is melodic with soaring vocals and harmonic guitars to boot. I'd love to hear Labyrinth singer Roberto Tiranti do a duet with Geoff Tate someday.

We don't normally talk about power metal bands here, but in this instance, I think you will be pleased if you give the new Labyrinth album a shot. My favorite tracks on the release are "The Absurd Circus," "Words Minefield" and "Finally Free." You can listen to the album - or buy it - by clicking on the album art above.

During lockdown, members of Labyrinth recorded a cover of Queensryche's "I Will Remember." 

Comments

[GNR]

I'll take super fast riffs, soaring vocals, and harmonic guitars reviews any day over some of this "shove the microphone down my throat" growl metal any day. Great cover of Queensyrche as well.

[SparkyDR99]

Thank you for this. I love Geoff Tate era Queensryche, and I'm hearing about this band for the first time with this post! 9 studio records?! Live and learn I guess, I'm giving the record a spin now.

[crued]

good pick Allyson! a duel with Tate would be interesting! (rubs chin)

[Metalboy!]

Phew! ... Just tortured myself with listening to this ... Queensryche are SO much better and to give you an idea of what I think of Labyrinth, I hate f*ckin Queensryche ... Well, okay, I admit they DO have one KILLER song — “Queen of the Reich”!

p.s. I bet “Queen of the Reich” is a fave among some of the Capitol Insurrectionist set ... Hey, who says we can’t find something in common?

[Him]

I like my prog like I like my coffee . . . Italian?!?!

Boy oh boy, Metalboy! is making up for lost time here!!! 'Ryche have some great songs, and also some good ones.

Good for those Italianos for following their dreams and being inspired by some of the classics from the 80s. Now find a person to do a better job on the album cover and also work on those compression issues. Heck, ask DeGarmo to fly over to Italy and play a solo with you. Who knows?

Me? I am going to launch a Hot-Pocket eating contest: how many of those foul puss wallets can you cram in your piehole while "The Absurd Circus" is playing?