PURGATORIO

First of all I wanted to say that I don't consider myself a good reviewer of albums as far as going into details song- by-song, etc.. I respect/admire those here that do that!!

I've been a big fan of Metamorfosi's Inferno since my ears feasted on it back in 1998 when I first heard it (that's when I discovered italian prog) thanks to "Tommy's Forest of Progressive rock". That is a classic of italian prog. Needless to say in 2004 I was very excited when I heard Paradiso was coming out and I was counting down the days to put down "whatever amount it took to get it" as I was expecting another Inferno. Sadly Paradiso was a big letdown for me as there were too many neo-prog (although I like neo prog) leanings and "forgettable" melodies on that album. In all honesty, I need to give that album more of a chance. Seems like everytime I listen to it, I keep hoping I'll finally "get it" and consider it a classic. And every time I listen to "paradiso", I struggle hard to make it all the way thru. Something(s) is just missing with that album (not enough vintage keys, melodies are weak, sounds too modern, etc.).

I guess that helps me with Purgatorio as I've been "dumbed down" by the disappointment of Paradiso. I learned of Purgatorio coming out a few months and thought "Oh really? cool! They're finally going to complete the trilog". But I was not expecting much as I thought "This will probably be more in quality like Paradiso than Inferno".

I've listened to this album now about 10 times so I may change my review/ratings as time goes. One such reviewer on "ratemymusic" says "I've heard it all before" and he gave Purgatorio a low (2 star) rating out of 5.

On to my personal thoughts after 10 listens. It's no Inferno (by golly that one is a classic) but it's better than Paradiso to my ears. Maybe I just like darker/sinister overtones more and this album is more dark/sinister than Paradiso (why wouldn't it tho since it's about Purgatory rather than Heaven).

Album runs about 58 minutes, starts out with a narration over a familiar melody heard in Inferno over a 'pipe organ'. Well that's cool, they use some pipe organs here like the Abominable Dr. Phibes. Nice touches there. Spitaleri vocals are as good as ever and show no sings of aging/weariness. That is evident on the album's most sinister (and short 1 minute) track "Porte di Purgatorio" in which Spitaleri sounds like he did in the closing adrenalene-rushing 10 minutes of the "Inferno" album.

Keyboards by Oliveri and the bass guitar is musicianship is very good. There's still some modern sounding keys (like Paradiso) but Oliveri seems to have added some pipe organs and the occassional ELP analog sounds (that was missing on Paradiso).

There are some other nice pieces like "Angelo Nocchiero" with Spitaleri's operatic vocals over what sounds like a flute-organ and a nice fingerpicking arpeggio on the electric backing. "Negligenti" has a melancholic piano solo (which could fit on Felona E Sorona) and then a nice sad vocal section by Spitaleri (operatic tho in the Francescio Di Giacomo tradition) and then it goes to "heaven" with a beautiful vintage 70's italian keys sound like on the Le Orme Uomo Di Pezza/Felona and RDM's "Contaminizione" albums.

There a lot more to like on this album than with Paradiso. But please don't expect another "Inferno" or you will be disappointed. That should not, however, dissuade you from checking out this album.

I don't think I ever officially rated their other 2 albums. I'd rate "Inferno" as a 4.5 and a classic in the RPI. "Paradiso" a disappointing 2.5 that I found hard to get into (just dull) no matter how many times I tried too. For Purgatorio, a step up and a 3.5. With more listens (as I plan to), I could be persuaded to change my rating to a 4. It already went up from a 3 to a 3.5 after about 10 listens.

The album cover is pretty cool too on this one.

3.5 stars Really.

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