•
Rating: After months of hiatus, I'm back to the opera and I'm going to tell you about a splendid evening in Cortemaggiore (PC).
I missed writing reviews, and yes, instead of whining over spilled milk (!!!), I could start with the report of the Piacenza "gig". So, punctuation, syntax, logical coherence, a dose of foolery; the characteristics needed to write something (in)decent are there. Here we go!!!
Well, the "place" I mentioned earlier is called Fillmore, a very nice and moderately spacious venue with good acoustics and a relatively large stage. The opportunity to move from the gray (chaotic, sad, gloomy, dirty, nasty) Milan in the direction of Emilia arises to see a very promising concert, featuring the following progressive metal trio comprised of Dreamscape, Circus Maximus, and Symphony X. I have never heard the first band, but I know by heart the songs of the second and third.
It's the German Dreamscape who open the dance at around 9:30, offering a very mechanical Progressive Metal, accentuated by the movements and the rough sound of the seven-string guitar of leader Wolfgang Kerinnis. The singer Mischa Mang, both in vocal performance and approach (not to mention physical appearance), seems to emulate Russell Allen quite a bit, delivering
a tight and convincing performance. The half-hour they were given doesn't do much justice to the potential of a band that's been around for ages, but it's inevitable since they are the openers. The audience appreciates it, and so do I, but my friend more so. I start thinking about Circus Maximus...
Setlist:
Dejavu
Clockwork
Thorn in My Mind
Somebody
Breathing Spaces
When Shadows are Gone
Rating: 7
I have worn out "Isolate" and a bit less "The 1st Chapter" recently and I already know what to expect from the Norwegian band, committed to a rather personal Progressive Metal immersed in easy AOR melodies and neoclassical power (though much less than Symphony X). The main doubt was Michael Eriksen's vocal performance, which on the record I would call miraculous (a sort of much cooler Timo Kotipelto), and indeed I immediately notice that perfection isn't there, but I must say that despite that, the Scandinavian giant holds his own splendidly between chilling whispers and high notes like a mango stuck between his butt cheeks. "A Darkened Mind" opens with its full-bodied riff that immediately gets in your head, continues with "Abyss" and then the fantastic mid-tempo "Wither", then a dive into the past with the hit songs "Sin" and "Alive". 45 very intense minutes, where Mats Haugen's acrobatics with his Ibanez 7-string stand out (between liquid and refined solos and crushing riffs), the dynamics held by his brother Truls behind the drums, Eriksen's extraordinary voice, and the pronounced bass lines of Glen Møllen. Unfortunately, poor Lasse Finbråten is stuck in a dark corner at the keyboards. And now for Symphony X...
Setlist:
A Darkened Mind
Abyss
Wither
Sin
Glory of The Empire
Alive
Ultimate Sacrifice
Rating: 8.5
The intro "Oculus Ex Inferni" starts and we all get warmed up; "Set The World On Fire" begins and hell breaks loose. We strain our vocal cords to keep up with Allen and physically strain ourselves to keep our spots in the front rows. Pure ecstasy and madness. "Domination" and "Serpent's Kiss" are sonic behemoths and Jason Rullo shows just how fitting his name is with a heart-attack-inducing drumming. With "Masquerade," we return to the debut and honestly, it would be an ordinary Power Metal song if not for Michael Romeo kicking everyone's ass with his panic-inducing sweeps and legatos. Lighters in hand and a bit of respite with Michael Pinnella starting with the beautiful piano line of "Paradise Lost," followed by Russell Allen who sings more tranquil melodies compared to the outbursts of the first pieces. Finally, a truly prog piece like "Egypt" was needed, and attaching it to the instrumental "Death Of Balance" is a splendid choice. The calm is over and we return to assault classics with the trio "Inferno," "Smoke And Mirrors," and "Sea Of Lies" (as usual anticipated by Michael Lepond's bass line). A new surprise continues; after Romeo tries to stick his guitar up Russell's ass, they start with the last piece of Paradise Lost "Revelation," performed masterfully between hyper-technical deliriums and more meditative parts, but always with an amazing dose of epicness. At the end of this piece, Russell Allen is moving as he sings the last part of the suite "The Divine Wings Of Tragedy." Our heroes leave the stage but don't take long to return to grant us the last emotions. From the killer Power Metal of "Eve Of Seduction," we go back to the past with the lively "Out Of The Ashes" to then close with the classic of classics "Of Sins And Shadows." By now the throat is torn and the legs are in pieces. Russell Allen was amazing to hold vocally for all 100 minutes of the concert, Michael Romeo is an alien, I'm fed up with saying it, Michael Pinnella is a great keyboardist with refined taste, Michael Lepond and Jason Rullo are even better than usual. What a spectacular concert.
Setlist:
Oculus Ex Inferni
Set the World on Fire
Domination
Serpent's Kiss
Masquerade
Paradise Lost
Egypt/Death Of Balance
Inferno
Smoke and Mirrors
Sea Of Lies
Revelation/Paradise Regained (from "The Divine Wings of Tragedy")
Encore:
Eve Of Seduction
Out Of The Ashes
Of Sins And Shadows
Rating: 9
In conclusion, there's really little left to say, except that it was an event that every lover of Progressive Metal should not have missed and to congratulate the venue for the quality of the sound (excellent for all the bands) and a bit less for the lights, which were a bit too dark at times. Next stop in June at the Alcatraz in Milan to see Queensryche!!!
Loading comments slowly
