ASCENSION

Michael Pinella is one of the most well known and in same time respected keyboard player from prog metal field. He is together with excellent guitarist Michael Romeo the heads and main composers of the prog metal act Symphony X. I'm a fan of the band for years and because of that I've decided to check his solo activity. Everything what is to be heared here on his second offer named Ascension from 2014 is good towards great as usual. He done a good job for sure, he is a master of the keyboards , he has a varity of expressions in keybord department, and the result is more then enjoyble to me. On the other hand, I think the talent and skills of this musician are more puted in evidence while is in the presence of Michael Romeo from Symphony X, together they made some outstanting arrangements, really fascinating duelings between keyboards and guitars. Here where is only him, the passages are little unconsistent but far from bad. The album is pretty much dominated by his instrument, where the passages are well done, no bad pieces here, but no highlits either. He toying with progressive arrangements combined with of course progressive moves, this is no metal album as we may think and expect some very nice orchestrations with a decent programming. Something else I must add is that I like this album Ascension more then his debut, more balls here in passages and more intresting parts. Let's say 3.5 stars for this one similar with another top keyboard player that I like a lot Bob Katsionis from Greece, without hesitation one of the most talented and skillful keyboard player in last couple of dacades in progressive rock/metal area