Powerage – Clepshydra (Album Review)

Clepshydra, the long-awaited self-produced album from veteran Italian rockers Powerage, feels like a culmination of decades of hard-earned experience, creative evolution, and raw energy. Formed in 1979 in L’Aquila, Powerage’s roots are firmly embedded in classic British Hard Rock, but Clepshydra shows a band that has grown beyond its early influences and embraced a broader, more experimental vision of rock.

The album opens with “Another Night,” setting the tone with a surprising violin introduction layered over classic distorted guitar riffs and a gritty vocal delivery. There’s a lot to like in the ambitious structure, including radio-like spoken word samples and a fierce guitar solo that showcases the band’s instrumental strengths. However, the mix is unbalanced, with overpowering guitars sometimes washing out the vocals, a recurring issue throughout the album.

“Cold Town Rock” follows with a roaring motorbike intro and a more traditional rock swagger. It’s headbang-worthy, with concise drums and sharper vocal clarity, even if the guitar still dominates the mix. The musicianship is tight, especially in the guitar solos, which remain a highlight across the record.

“My War” shifts the tone into darker, more emotional territory. The melancholic lyrics are among the most coherent and affecting on the album, expressing inner turmoil and vulnerability. The arrangement allows space for both the lyrics and guitar to breathe, and it’s one of the few tracks where the balance between vocals and instrumentation feels intentional and effective.

The centrepiece of the album, “Screaming Alone I – II,” stretches to nearly nine minutes and serves as a sprawling, dynamic epic. It begins slow and sensual before erupting into full-throttle rock. There’s a powerful section where the guitar cuts out entirely, giving bass and drums their moment to shine. A slower spoken-word passage midway gives the track emotional weight and showcases the band’s willingness to take risks. It’s not just long for the sake of being long; it tells a story, and its bold structure helps elevate the album’s artistic scope.

With “Deep Inside,” Powerage leans heavily into a Sabbath-esque riff, but again, the guitar’s volume pushes the vocals into the background. The lyrical content leans on familiar rock themes of soul, body, and love lost, but the track is somewhat repetitive outside of its standout solo.

“The Bridge” offers a much-needed tonal shift. Slower, more reflective, and better mixed, it’s perhaps the most emotionally engaging song on the album. Vivid lyrical imagery and a thoughtful guitar solo work in tandem rather than in competition. It’s one of the few tracks where all elements feel in balance, and it stands out for its restraint and clarity.

“Too Much Love” continues the upswing, with a tighter production and a more polished structure. The groove is catchy, and for once, the vocals sit comfortably alongside the guitar rather than beneath it. The slight vocal scatting adds personality and spontaneity, giving the song a distinct character.

“Real Life” layers distorted textures over a spoken intro, leading into one of the more upbeat-sounding tracks on the album. The energy is infectious, and the vocal performance here is among the most confident and punchy. The solo, while technically strong, carries a distinctly American feel, adding variety to the band’s otherwise European rock DNA.

“Driving at Night” reintroduces the violin and slows things down again. The track serves as a kind of emotional interlude, quieter, more reflective, and stripped of the bombast that defines much of the album. The Jake Kiszka-style solo hints at modern rock influences blending into the band’s classic foundation. It’s a standout moment of intimacy and restraint.

“Dream Child” and the title track “Clepshydra” return to a heavier, darker sound. “Dream Child” uses dream imagery and shadow metaphors to dive into psychological disorientation, while “Clepshydra” delivers a gritty, focused representation of the band’s core aesthetic. The ominous intro and gradual fade-out leave a lasting impression, justifying its placement as the album’s namesake.

Finally, “One More Night” closes the album with emotional weight and a return of the violin, a smart bookend choice that ties the record together. The slower pace allows for a moment of reflection, giving listeners a chance to absorb the album as a whole.

Despite the strengths, Clepshydra struggles with lyrical repetitiveness, many songs rely heavily on repeating the title phrase with minimal development, and the production often lets the mix down, with guitars overpowering vocals to the point of distraction. Yet, none of this completely undermines the musicianship or intent. This is a guitar-forward album made by a band that knows its strengths and isn’t afraid to double down on them.

What Clepshydra lacks in polish, it makes up for in passion and legacy. There’s something admirable about a band that’s been around for over four decades still pushing forward, still evolving, and still experimenting. Powerage may not be reinventing the wheel, but they’re riding it with conviction, and in moments like “The Bridge,” “Screaming Alone,” and “One More Night,” they steer it somewhere meaningful.

SCORE/ Mediocre – Clepshydra may not be flawless, but it’s a testament to Powerage’s enduring spirit, a hard-earned, heartfelt echo of rock’s past, still resonating in the present. Give it a listen if this interests you!

[We rank singles, EPs, and albums on a scale of Poor, Mediocre, Good, Excellent, and Outstanding]

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