ASGARD:
"Imago Mundi" CD
WMMS 1993
Italy
Alberto Ambrosi - keyboards
Chris Bianchi D'Espinosa
Kikko Grosso - vocals
Max Michieletto
Marco Ferrero
Transmigration
Justice
Violence 1
Violence 2
Virtue
Fortitude
Serenity
Disharmony
Courage
Imagination
Vulgarity
Nobility
Egoism
They are totally ignored or overlooked by the mainstream metal media ("Drachenblut" received 3,5/10 points in Rock Hard: best joke since years, you bastards!). But from the beginning: ASGARD released their first CD in 1991 on the touching WMMS label from Germany. It was called "Götterdämmerung" and was a great piece of Epic Mystic Prog Metal/Rock, from the very beginning they had a totally unique style that can not be compared with any other band. Some tracks are very long, maybe kind of "progressive" music, but always with amazing and chilling melodies that'll send shivers down your spine from the first to the last second the CD is running in your player! Fans of above mentioned bands should love ASGARD just as DREAM THEATER or RUSH maniacs. In 1992 "Esoteric Poem" was released, their second CD. Also a very good one, but the whole CD features only one track, so it is a little more difficult to get into it. The follow-up was called "Arkana" and came in the same year (1992). It is the darkest, most threating ASGARD CD until today, real intense with fantastic tracks as for example the insane "Olaf Stonehand", the enchanting "A Gathering of Faries" or the fast and furious "Wulfstan". One year later, in 1993, the best ASGARD CD and one of my alltime-favorites was born: "Imago Mundi"! I will not try to describe this piece of epic metal/rock, I am not able to find words that can express my feelings for this masterpiece! Great cover, fantastic magical lyrics, melodies just not from this world and unbelievable tracks as >Justice - Land of the Silver Drakkar<, the tranquil >Virtue - Land of the eternal snows< or the crushing >Disharmony - Land of the Chasms< will take you on a journey you will never forget!!! After a long wait of seven endless years finally "Drachenblut" was released. Another great record! Only negative thing, they had a new singer on this CD. A good one, no question. But Kikko had such a unique voice that he is nearly impossible to replace, he is a part of the magic of ASGARD. Nevertheless it is a great album that is better than 95% of all new releases...
To get me right: ASGARD play not Power Metal, not even close. It is not party- or drinking music. But if sometimes you like to lean back, take the booklet and read the lyrics, and drown in a strange but fantastic land, ASGARD will bring you there, check it out!
Finally I have to say, that by a chance from 1 : 1000 ASGARD moved from italy to germany, today they live about 20 km away from my vault of Steel. Now I call Alberto and Chris my friends, so of course I would not write down anything that is hindering or not good for the band. But all is my real opinion, I got in contact with the band because I loved their music, not the other way around. Well, but who cares anyway. Check it out and tell me what you think about ASGARD. The CDs are rare and hard to find, but you can purchase all through Forgotten Steel. Or contact Alberto: dragmus@web.de