PROG INJECTION (WITH THOMAS LANG)

Alberto Rigoni is a bass player from Italy that has been involved with a few bands, including "Ascra" who mostly played "Dream Theater" covers, and "Twinspirits", a well-reviewed progressive metal band. In 2008, he released his first solo album (listed as Heavy Prog) worldwide. He has also worked with some famous proggers including both Gavin Harrison and Colin Edwin both from "Porcupine Tree", Mike Lepond from "Symphony X" and members of Malmsteen's band. Between 2008 and 2019, he has released 8 solos albums. His 8th album is a collaboration with drummer Thomas Lang (who has recorded with Peter Gabriel and others) and also includes keyboardist Allesandro Bertoni (from the Italian band "Fierrabraci). The name of this album is "Prog Injection" and it consists of 8 tracks with a total run time of just over 39 minutes.

It all starts out with "XYX" which starts off with heavy effects from synths and guitars giving it a atmospheric, yet thick feel. This works as an introductory track and brings in the next track "Metal Injection". There is a fast beat established, and the bass creates a thick sound with guitars and synths flying along. After a minute, things slow to a moderate beat with the bass taking the spotlight before everything speeds up again. The synth seems to play at a lower volume than the guitars, but that changes later, and, surprisingly, all of the instruments get a lot of feature time, not just the bass. The great bass effects really are the highlight as far as unique sounds and styles. The music isn't as typical as you might think it would be, which is a very good thing. It is also definitely progressive.

"Blood Shuga" begins with a thumping bass, a great guitar into and again, great keys that connect it all together. The rhythm is moderately fast, but falls off at times to give a dynamic layer to the track. Again, all of the musicians get a chance to shine, utilizing several instruments, especially a large variety in the keys. The bass really opens up in the last minute and is answered by a screaming guitar. "Death Stick" features guest Jeff Hughell (Six Feet Under) on a bass solo. This is also a track with a lot of rhythmic and meter changes, and features a lot of great bass with some nice effects and tricks.

"Omega" features more keyboards (mostly organ) heavily backed up with the bass and quirky drums. As usual, the bass riffs are quite astounding and full of hooks. The keys and drums are the glue that hold it all together, and they continue to have plenty of chances to shine and create dynamic and varied tracks, all the while remaining quite progressive. "Liquid" is the longest track at over 7 minutes. It starts out somewhat reflective and atmospheric with great sounds from the bass. After a minute, things take off with the full band, but moods, meters and rhythms stay in flux, but with enough consistency as to create effective passages that develop into melodic sections. Again, there are plenty of great performances among all musicians. The music is complex, but not in the way of say "Liquid Tension Experiment" or "Estradasphere", but more concise with a more melodic feel, definitely Heavy Prog which is what the goal was for the style of this album.

"Low and Disorder" goes for a more standard, yet fast beat, sounding like a fast 3 / 4 time in the rhythm section but a 4 / 4 beat in the keys. Organ solos play above the fast moving bass which features both crazy riffs and melodious, yet heavy, passages. As it approaches the middle, things get a bit more complex with some progressive stop/start sections where the bass really gets to show off. "Iron Moon" ends the album with atmospheric bass and keys (no drums on this one) which create some nice textures.

This instrumental showcase has a lot more depth than what you might expect. All 3 musicians get chances to shine and affect the overall sound of each track so you get not just amazing bass, but plenty of excellent performances from the keys and drums. The music is definitely Heavy Prog and features a lot of interesting music throughout. Yes, Rigoni gets to show off, but so do the other musicians and there is enough variation among the tracks that it never grows stale. Those that love heavy bass with a lot of prog musicianship will love this album. 4 stars.