ON THE VIRG: SERIOUS YOUNG INSECTS

This was such a pleasure to spend some time with this past week. It just seems like it's been a while since I listened to this style of music. If your into PLANET X or Derek Sherinian you'll know what to expect. Virgil Donati the Australian drummer who would go on to play with both of the bands I just mentioned is truly a monster on the kit. This is about an hour of all instrumental Jazz/ Fusion/ Metal. The band is comprised of mostly Australians but also some Americans. A four piece with three guests adding guitars and bass. A lot of these guys have played together already before this and yes they are all players.

"Native Metal" is my favourite track. Listen to the feedback and atmosphere to start then this heavy sound kicks in with a ton of depth to it as drums, bass and fuzzed out guitars lead the way. So good! Synths arrive just before a minute as it lightens up. Not for long though and check out that guitar solo starting before 3 1/2 minutes.

"Malfunction" is a top five for me. Strummed guitar and drums get blown away by a heavy rhythm and some nasty guitar. Powerful synths come and go. It brightens at 1 1/2 minutes then back to that heavy and aggressive sound. It brightens again before 3 minutes as themes are repeated. A synth solo before 3 1/2 minutes. It's so heavy after 4 minutes.

"Alien Hip" is fast paced right out of the gate with riffs and drums. It will settle back with guitar over top but then back to that fast paced sound as contrasts continue. It's really intense late to end it.

"Sort Yourself Out" hits the ground running and when it settles we get some huge bass lines before the guitar starts to solo quickly over top. Keyboards lead as the guitar steps aside. Those huge bass lines continue. Some ripping guitar before 3 1/2 minutes then a funky groove takes over after 3 1/2 minutes with some impressive keyboard and bass work. Check out the guitar starting before 6 minutes.

"Pyramids On Mars" is another top five. I like how this builds as pulsating synths lead with drums. Great uplifting sound before 2 minutes. It settles more with synths just before 2 1/2 minutes. Some nice soaring guitar after 3 minutes. The guitar and sound are getting nasty after 4 minutes. Love this! It picks up as synths pulse as the guitar steps aside.

"Dragon Bones" has these cool sounding synths to start before getting crushed by the heaviness rather quickly. Love that sound 2 minutes in. "Trencherman" is a top five as well and the longest track at 8 1/2 minutes. Check out the drumming and guitar early on. Oh my! Another "wow" moment 2 minutes in with the bass and drums this time. That ends after 4 minutes as a determined rhythm takes over and check out those keyboards! The guitar starts to light it up big time.

"Out Of The Haze" has this nice heavy sound with the synths over top. It settles with intricate guitar, a beat and synths before 1 1/2 minutes. It kicks back in before 3 minutes then settles again. "Invasion Of The Ants" is my final top five. A catchy guitar driven tune as the drums and bass support. Love how powerful this is but also when it settles but still with a lot of depth to it as the guitar solos over top. Synths then solo before it all settles back before 5 minutes but not for long. Big finish.

"Running From The Aliens" opens with some great sounding keyboards as the bass, drums and guitar join in quickly. Synths pulse as we get some complexity but this is fun as well. I like the calm after 3 minutes with that impressive bass solo. "Penthalon" sounds amazing to start with the drums, bass and guitar. It drives along taking no prisoners until the synths join in. Back to the intensity as the synths stop. Contrasts continue. Nice guitar solo after 2 1/2 minutes.

One of the better albums that I've heard in this style and this is from 1999. A solid 4 stars.