Ladies and Gentlemen - meet Italy's best kept secret: LUNARSEA. Why such an exceptionally talented group of musicians has remained under the radar is an absolute mystery, but now here they are and may they and their dominant grasp of high quality Metal never be far from our ears and eyes. If LACUNA COIL can achieve fame with their solid but definitively basic song structuring, and LINEA 77 can find a home on the Earache record label with such abominable Pop-Punk nauseating offal, then there's no reason that this stellar band shouldn't be invading foreign shores in the very near future.

What makes LUNARSEA such a stand out band is the perfect dynamic that is created by the high caliber musicianship they represent on all fronts. Although the vocals are far from unique, they are well mixed between a solid, gruff Death Metal approach and just the right dose of melodic singing to add a sense of catchiness and variety to the songs. The true beauty though is the technically superior collage of a solid and up front bass sound, the most subtle of keyboard atmospheres, superbly executed technical drumming, and dual guitar attacks that wield both riff and solo with the full fury of Vulcan forging his holy fire between hammer and anvil. In terms of instrumental proficiency, LUNARSEA are essentially the cream of the new crop, holding their own more than efficiently enough to warrant comparison to distinct Metal masters the likes of SCAR SYMMETRY, CARCASS, ARCH ENEMY, old school IN FLAMES and TESTAMENT.

Consider the abilities portrayed by IN FLAMES at their peak with "Colony" and "Clayman", and you have a firm concept of just how musically dominant LUNARSEA is with "Route Code Selector". Distinct and definitive guitar riffs and truly inspired lengthy guitar solos courtesy of Fabiano Romagnoli and Emiliano Pacioni are scattered generously throughout each and every song on the album, adding to each their own specific musical identity and strength. In particular, "The Apostate", "Five-Sided Platform Edge", "Subspace Transition" and the staggering, jaw dropping magnificence of "Found Me Cryogenized" are a clinic on the true heart and power that flows from an inspired and dedicated solo delivery, with immaculate arpeggio sweeps and emotionally driven melody. And as if the solos weren't solid enough in and of themselves, drummer Stuart Franzoni does a phenomenal job of avoiding redundant blast beats and incorporates intricate, rhythm driving drumming variety that both carries the songs and emphasizes the soloing to maximize impact. And assuredly "Magnitude 9.6" and "In A Firmness Loop Day" are the keystone examples of exactly how proficient the band is at operating as one harmonious organism, seamlessly threading vocals, bass, guitars and drums together to deliver incredible songs representing all of the absolute best elements of Metal as we know it.

LUNARSEA are undeniably one of the best examples of just how strong and impressive the current state of Metal really is. Considering the fact that "Route Code Selector" is only the band's second release, the road ahead is truly wide open for this incredibly talented group of Italians, and based on their current output there's no doubting that they are the best thing to happen to Melodic Death Metal in several years. The moon is full and the waves dance to the solar rhythms of LUNARSEA, and may the tides of fate carry them favorably into the annals of Metal legend.