Lars Eric Mattsson from Lion Music found Eliza Pezzuto on MySpace, by hearing Eliza’s voice Lars contacted her with a view to creating the album Darkness Will Fall. Eliza was born in Rome in 1984 and has a rich musical pedigree with piano lessons from 1990 to 1996 followed by experience in ancient and medieval ensemble music. Since that time Eliza also has studied modern vocal techniques along with four years of singing gospel music in addition to singing for numerous baroque and opera setups. The album was produced, mixed, arranged and composed by Lars Eric Mattsson, who also plays all guitars, bass and keyboards on the album. Drums are performed by Eddie Sledgehammer while strings and woodwinds are performed by the Astral Orchestra.

I heard a preview of a song from the Gothic Metal act Eli, some months ago, and I was very curious about how the outcome and final result sounded like when I for the first time sat down and listened to Darkness Will Fall. Already with the first track To Slowly Fade Away we hear what a good voice this lady has. The strings sound really great on this album from the start, and I like the mood and style that is very comfortable to listen to. Turn This World Around opens with some drum samples before the strings and Eliza`s beautiful voice enters the song. A song that switches between slow moody parts to more up tempo parts round the choruses. The instruments are arranged and played on such a way that the vocals get most of the attention all the way through, but at the same time I feel that composer Lars Eric Mattsson, has managed to make something that sound a bit different compared to many other artists and bands in this genre. Welcome To My Dreamworld remind me of a theme from a musical, also here the song change between calm parts to more guitar driven bits, and with the strings and the vocals on top this sounds just great! Back To Your Grace has a great vocal line and the ballad like melody will melt many hearts, the song reaches its absolute top at the end! For Mother Earth is partly very emotional with only vocals, strings and some samples. The song changes throughout and builds more up with guitars and symphonic elements, and reach its highest level in the chorus and instrumental part. Leave Me Here opens symphonic, and this is one of toughest tracks with more guitars, and in a way it also sounds a bit experimental. My Emptiness is a beautiful slow song with only vocals, guitars and some strings, and this song took place in my heart directly. Darkness Will fall opens symphonic, the song slowly builds up to a huge chorus. Wondrous Stories is a song with strings and vocals, a moody emotional song sung with a lot of passion from Eliza. I like this album it take a step away from the masses of releases in its genre and I think they have managed to create their own sound and style on Darkness Will Fall from Eli. 96/100
http://www.lionmusic.com/
http://www.myspace.com/elisapezzuto

Musicians:

Eli - Darkness Will Fall
Lion Music

file under Gothic metal

Sjak: The Italian female vocalist Eliza Pezutto is the newest discovery of Lion Music president Lars Eric Mattsson, with whom he releases the debut album ‘Darkness Will Fall’ under the Eli moniker. Style-wise the band is to be categorized in the gothic metal genre en recalls memories of style colleagues Evanescence, but then more adventurous. A lot of progressive influences can be detected and the album is characterized by transitions which are not always instantly digestible, but which are becoming more accessible with each spin and will definitely arouse admiration after a while.

All the material was written by Lars Eric Mattsson and he has also played the majority of the instruments himself, only supported in this by drummer Eddie Sledgehammer and the string ensemble The Astral Orchestra. The absolute star of the album is however the only twenty-four years old Eliza Pezzuto, who clearly showcases that her study of modern vocal techniques pays off big-time. Her voice is very powerful and crystal-clear and fits perfectly in the adventurous material. Just listen to opening track ‘To Slowly Fade Away’, ‘Back To Your Grace’ or the title track ‘Darkness Will Fall’. As said it will take several listens before the true beauty of the album will reveal itself, but if you have the patience for that you’ll notice that ‘Darkness Will Fall’ is a mighty fine gothic metal record and that vocalist Eliza Pezzuto is truly a great discovery.

Rating: 83/100 (details)