[Album Review] Metamorfosi / Inferno

 

 

Metamorfosi / [Inferno] (73)



1. The sections: Introduzione
2. Selva Oscura
3. Caronte
4. Spacciatore di droga
5. Terremoto
6. Limbo
7. Lussuriosi
8. Avari
9. Violenti
10. Malebolge
11. Sfruttatori
12. Razzisti
13. Fossa dei Giganti
14. Lucifero (Politicanti)
15. Conclusione

Davide "Jimmy" Spitaleri: vocals, flute
Enrico Olivieri: keyboards
Roberto Turbitosi: bass
Mario Natali: drums
Luciano Tamburro: guitar

And yet another incredible masterpiece. This albums is nothing like their first one. Here they succeded in making a dark musical journey to the nether regions. This albums is based on the different levels of hell described in Dantes "Divina Comedia". This was the first album I heard by Metamorfosi and I didn't know what to excpect at all really. Well, it only took a few listens before I really started to love this album.
The two things to point out here are firstly, the superb keyboardplaying by Enrico Oliviero, and secondly the awesome operatic voice of Jimmy Spitaleri. And here they both dominate the album throughout the epic journey.
The introducing track - after a short interlude - reveales the full power and force of Olivieris moog. Seldom have I heard such a perfect moogsound (and playing of course) than allover this album. Very heavy interplay between the moog and the 'hellish' rhytmsection of the bassist and the drummer. The albums is divided into smaller pieces which together build up to the full progrock opera that is is.
Most of the songs of course have a very theatrical and dark atmosphere, but there are some 'lighter' moments here also. There are only highlights here, "Caronte" is particulary dramatic and "Lussuriosi" a bit calmer and has a very accesible melodyline. Some people think that the "B-side" tends to draw down in energy and quality but that is not so. This album stands the test from the beginning opening words to the "Conclusione". This and "Felona e Sorona" by Le Orme are the best conceptalbums I know (if concept albums are to be discussed that is...).
At first I remember being a bit disappointed with that the faster and harder parts of say Museo Rosenbach wasn't to be find to a larger amount here. But I soon realized that this album doesn't need to be compared to "Zarathustra". It simply is a dark jewel in itself. Prepare for a hellish moogsound anf the dramatic and operatic vocals of Spaltieri.