Lunocode
Celestial Harmonies

April 2012
Released: 2012, Spider Rock Promotions
Rating: 3.5/5
Reviewer: JP

Sometimes writers like me just have an oversight. For example, last month I did a bit of a feature on female-fronted, symphonic type bands. However, for whatever silly reason, I forgot to include Lunocode! I have no idea why I missed it but I want to discuss their debut, full-length album CELESTIAL HARMONIES. The album came out on the Italian Spider Rock label, in early 2012 as a follow up to their excellent debut EP, LAST DAY OF THE EARTH.



The quintet themselves are Italian and have issued this very entertaining, very promising debut. Things start with a powerful note with the short and sweet song, ‘Sin Cara’. It’s the shortest on the album, with some amazing soloing. There is some great acoustic/electric interplay and even a hint of flute here and there on the next cut, ‘Heart Of The World’, a very engaging ballad highlighting the soft, sweet side of the voice of Daphne Romano.



The band fall into the progressive vein, more than symphonic, which is maybe why I didn’t include them last month. The band name, according to the website is roughly adapted from a Russian term, Lunokhod, meaning ‘moonwalker’ which ties in nicely with the bands lyrical themes of exploring the universe. The band use lots of effects, keyboards and some spoken-word parts to fill out the songs.

Undoubtedly the center-piece of the five song, hour long album is the epic suite ‘The Origin Of Matter And Mind’ which clocks in at 30 minutes. The song is broken into parts I’ve always felt it takes skill to write a really long song and keep the listeners interest and the band manage to do just that. The lyrics are very original. Lunocode take the story of Albert (one of the first monkey’s to be sent into space back in 1949) and expand the story into what Alberta sees, hears, feels and where he went in his mind during that journey into space.



CELESTIAL HARMONIES is a very accomplished piece of work. Although the album is on the lighter side of prog-Metal, it is never dull or uninspired. At the same time the album never gets too self-indulgent with endless musical exercises. The band in an odd way reminding me of Rush, the talent is obvious, playing when they have to but not always. CELESTIAL HARMONIES is fine debut from a very promising act.