Origin:	France
Genres:	Progressive Metal

Adagio

The French band Adagio (not to be confused with the Brazilian band also called Adagio) is essentially a solo project for Stéphan Forté, a young Yngwie Malmsteen-influenced guitar virtuoso who seems to be a rising star in the progressive metal field. He won a recording contract in 1999 and at that time decided to put together a proper band. He has surrounded himself with some impressive talent, drawing players with membership in bands such as Elegy, Majestic, and Pink Cream 69, and 2001's Sanctus Ignis is the first album released by the band. The style is neoclassical progressive metal, with Symphony X often noted as a soundalike. Forté's guitar work is indeed quite good, occasionally wandering into Malmsteen-esque histrionics, though for the most part he manages to impress without overdoing it. There is plenty of top-notch musicianship exhibited by the others, particularly keyboardist Richard Andersson who turns in a fine performance. An interesting twist on the album is an classical instrumental take on the Led Zeppelin classic "Immigrant Song". Hardly recognizeable from the original, the band instead puts its own unique stamp on the song, a welcome change from covers that end up sounding exactly like the original. Sanctus Ignis is a fine debut in the classical prog metal field.

Two years later, the band returns with Underworld. Not reviewed here at this time, the classical and symphonic attributes of the band have reportedly been increased, while still maintaining a similar spirit to the original.