08/02/2026
Primaluce: WAY OF PERFECTION
Stefano Primaluce released his first progressive metal album WITH vocals on November 3rd, 2025. Somewhere else here, he stated that he is open to the idea of recording more albums in that style, vocals included. Well, given the raving reviews ‘Dark Mirrors’ received it was obvious that there will be a follow-up. However, nobody would have thought that it will only take him 3 months to act on that threat and so on Friday the 13th 2026 the next chapter in Stefano’s huge body of works will be released under the title, ‘Way Of Perfection’.
This is again a completely independent release accessible via bandcamp.
Stefano utilized his multi-instrumental talents in the recording for his new compositions. He plays the rhythm guitars, Keys and performed the backing vocals across the 12 new tracks and took care of the programming.
The voice for ‘Way Of Perfection’ is provided by Falco (?). Further we hear Andrea Rocchi on lead guitar, Marco Adami on bass and Michele Avella on drums.
‘Way Of Perfection’ is just as its predecessor an album that is filled with technical brilliance. But when the songs rush over you, it is not the musical dexterity that draws the listeners attention but the ease and flow of the songs, led by soothing melodies and an emotional deep yet fluid story telling.
Mostly prominent in the opening and closing sequences of the songs, is a combination of early Dream Theater prog meets, the at times neoclassical pace of the Italian Band DGM. Still, once the verses come in play this complex interplay dampens into a flowing river of melodies. Bands, such as Sun Caged or Teramaze come to mind but, of course DT’s ‘Metropolis Pt2: Scenes From A Memory’ is there, just the same.
Falco’s vocal presentation shows great emotional depth without ever being pressing, aggressive or showing signs of anguish. Something most modern metal bands lean on quite heavily nowadays. Just like on their last album Falco reminded me strongly of Nathan Peachey of the Australian band Teramaze.
Even though, Dream Theater is mentioned quite a bit, I would like to point out that Stefano separates those intriguing progressive moments from the core of the songs, creating space and atmospheric support around the choruses and verses. A very clever, unobtrusive way to shift the dynamics from the intricate complex instruments to centre on the story telling of the songs.
In closing I’d like to add that I love every moment of this 72minute event.
But, without getting in the way of perfection, I would have wished for Stefano to create an acoustic/ambient interlude of some kind to break up the relentless pace of the album. For example, he recorded a track called “The Crimson Tide” on his instrumental album ‘Metamors’. Now that would have been the perfect pacifier to break up the 12 tracks of ‘Way Of Perfection’.
Thank you Stefano Primaluce for providing me with a promo of your new album for this review.
Peter Fundeis
https://primalucerock.bandcamp.com/album/way-of-perfection
