DOROTHY

This album represents my first experience with Moonlight Comedy that was established sometime in 1998. The idea was basically turning their roles as musicians into actors as well and they make an album on comedian style. "Dorothy" is basically their second release with a story that revolves around the girls from "Wizard of Oz". The music of this album would fit well to those who love riff-based music with stunning keyboard and guitar solos.

The opening track "Int(r)o Desire & Whisper" is basically a female narration that bridges into next heavy rhythm track "Solar Eclipse". Listening to this song reminds me to the like of Adagio or Pagan's Mind and a bit of Dream Theater. Yeah, there are great keyboard solo performed here, plus nice musical breaks with a bit of gothic nuance. The music continues with the heavy style and fast tempo in "Fallin' Under". There are many great intertwining roles between guitar and keyboard in high density music style. It's really dynamic and energetic. "The Sea And Time Of Mars" continues with the heavy blast of the music with some loop in the beginning. It's really a great music loop with great vocal line. It reminds me to the music of Pagan's Mind, really. The guitar riffs are really killing! The melody line is really catchy. There is a great intertwining work done nicely between guitar and keyboard. It's really cool!

"Metamorfosi", one of the longest tracks, starts wonderfully with great bass guitar loop combined with keyboard work followed by a blast of music in symphonic style. At first I can here the tight bass lines and dynamic drumming that accompany keyboard improvisations followed with a break that provides a seat for vocal to enter peacefully, in a good melody. The music moves in crescendo with guitar riffs and drumming. As the name of the song implies, it is clear that the styles of the music evolves like a metamorphosis. It's really excellent!

"Lunar Eclipse" is a short track with acoustic guitar accompanying vocal line that you can consider it as a ballad. "Into Whispers & Desire" (you might have confused with the opening track which has similar title, but musically it's totally different) start mellow with acoustic guitar followed by a blast of heavy music featuring pulsating keyboard. It's basically like a power metal track with nice melody and excellent singing style, stunning guitar solo and riffs. "Imperfect Mind" opening part reminds me to Symphony X music especially on the way guitar is played. It's an excellent track. "Dust Of The Past" is a classical piano work - it's nice - and it serves a bridge to ".And Why Not?", another excellent power metal track. The album concludes with "Side Effects", the second longest tracks of this album, using acoustic guitar fills at the intro part followed by powerful vocal line. There is great musical break where bass guitar demonstrates its virtuosity combined with dynamic drumming and stunning guitar. The music moves wonderfully in power metal vein, it reminds me to the like of Kamelot, Angra, Shaman and Symphony X / Dream Theater.

It's definitely a GO for progressive metal freaks!!

Overall, I can summarize this second album by Moonlight Comedy is a MUST for those (count me in! please ..) who love progressive metal or power metal music due to the heaviness of the style. On compositions, this album demonstrates the band's strengths in songwriting and merging diverse styles and energy into their music. Yes, you might say this is a power metal or progressive metal vein, but each track has its own style that makes you not getting bored with the flow of the music. This is an excellent addition to any progressive music collection. 4.5 star rating. Keep on proggin' ..!

Peace on earth and mercy mild - GW (i-Rock! Music Community)