PAN'TA RHEI

Belgian progsters GHIRIBIZZI were found in June 2000 by singer/keyboardist Frank Centauri along with guitarist Dario Frodo and keyboardist Yves Simmah.The trio released the first GHIRIBIZZI work ''Zep tepi'' a year later as a demo-album.Soon the band was meant to be extended to a sextet with the addition of a third keyboardist, Pete Mushroom,along with Little John on bass and Gino Bartolini on drums.In March 2005 they enter the Ace Studios to proceed to the recordings of their second album ''Pan'ta rhei'',the first with the brand new line-up.In November 2005 the sophomore GHIRIBIZZI release sees the light.

STYLE: Typical product of the modern prog era.Basically this is a neo-sounding album with big symphonic leanings and a light retro feeling.GHIRIBIZZI try hard to keep well the balances between instrumental music and vocal-based parts both on the short and long tracks.Three keyboardists on the line-up,but this is far away from keyboard-led prog.Piano and synths collaborate nicely with the rhythmic and lead guitars,offering catchy arrangements filled with grandiosity and richness.Some of the tracks lean towards straight neo prog,others are more challenging with orchestrated musicianship and bombastic passages without being too excessive.Few parts of the album flirt with metal due to the heaviness of the guitars.

SOUNDS LIKE/INFLUENCES: ARENA is the most famous of the closest comparisons,especially their 00's works and could have easily been a great influence for the band.Other acts that come to mind are German CHANDELIER,co-patriots MINDGAMES and AMANDA and Dutch neighbours RICOCHET and IXION.

PLUS: The arrangements are well-crafted,perfectly executed and very balanced.Actually hardly you'll find a boring moment in here with the tracks alternating between these with catchy moments and those with a grand symphonic feeling.Guitar work is absolutely satisfying and enjoyable.The symphonic passages are of top class.The (limited) vocal lines of guitarist Dario Frodo are romantic and melodic.Production is quite clear.

MINUS: The big time vocals of this release are a question.Centauri sounds a lot like FISH,but I had a hard time getting used to his voice.Once this was done,I liked them quite a bit...Nothing new to offer the current progressive rock scene.Some programmed stuff like the harpsichord sounds coming out of the synth are not the greatest thing to listen to.

WILL APPEAL TO:..Anyone after the neo/symph sounds of our days will find plenty to like in ''Pan'ta rhei''.

CONCLUSION/RATING: ''Pan'ta rhei'' is definitely a grower and that is a good thing.The first listenings might be dissapointing,but soon you will be rewarded by the band's carefully arranged music.Insist on playing this album on your CD player.Not a lifetime listening by any means,but a great number of highly enjoyable tracks...3.5 stars.