Lycia - Estrella

It was hence mandatory for the Italian label to include Estrella in this series of Lycia reissues. Estrella 2025 version comes in a completely remastered edition, with largely revisited artwork and three bonus tracks taken from Compilation Appearances Vol. 2 (a 2001 compilation including recordings dating back to the years 1995-1999). In 1998 Lycia were facing several new changes and challenges, between Mike VanPortfleet's health issues caused by diabetes and David Galas temporarily departing from the band, hence making Lycia a duo consisting of VanPortfleet and lyricist and singer Tara VanFlower.

Estrella was the direct successor of critically acclaimed album Cold (1996), and the band did not vary their formula, rather chose to further expand and explore it. This lead to VanFlower taking care of most of the vocals and VanPortfleet focusing on his textures, crafting soundscapes which bear the unmistakable Lycia mark.