VIRGIL DONATI

It's virtually impossible to find the first two albums by Donati on the Internet (to listen or buy). Fortunately I had the third album that coincides with the Planet X engagement of the drummer. No big wonder that the music here follows similar conventions -instrumental metal fusion comprised of guitars, keyboards, drums and some good bass, too.

The virtuosity is astonishing, just listen to the third track for the rhythm beast chops, well not exactly "Hip Hop" I was expecting ;) Soloing is splendid as are shifts and changes in the tracks. As there are few melodies or repeated motives, it is relatively hard to get attached to the music instantly unless all you care about is instrumental complexity. When comparing to Planet X, it appears to me that the other lads are significantly better composers whereas this feels as a slightly predefined jam loose music. The albums ends with a killer drum solo.

This album will please all instrumental gurus that ilke the combination of metal and improvisations.

One of the hottest fusion rock drummers strutting the planet these days is Virgil Donati. This release showcases his enormous talents. Amazingly enough, all the spectacular, percussive energy and sonic paintings on Just Add Water are spontaneous, unrehearsed jam sessions. I have seen video of Donati going absolutely genius-insane on drums with T.J. Helmerich and Brett Garsed. He held my rapt attention. I should admit I am not a drum-fanboy but Donati is heads and high hats above the rest of most fusion drummers.

Eight cuts of all-out mayhem and wild-cool, fusion abandon are to be experienced within. Being driven along by Donati's fury is the bluesy-fusey-rockin' axeman, Scott "Wildman" Henderson. One word needs to be said concerning Henderson's jamming on this disc -- inspired. This groove Henderson immerses himself in is as good and better than his finest moments on Tribal Tech's Thick release. Pumping the blood-hot, low-end heartbeat is Ricc Fierabracci. He's good, really good. Just sample his solo work in "On Manners".

I recommend this release to you musicians who think you know what fusion, funky, fun-fest jam sessions are all about. Hear a new angle of near-perfect grooves and "what-it's-all-about" power trio dynamics. Fans of wah-wah blues fusion will be delighted with Henderson's "fallin'-down-stairs-easy" riff-fest. They wind it up way-tight in climactic fashion building to a fever pitch on the final cut, "How To Grow Great Women". This THE wildest soloing I have ever heard Henderson do.

"Donati, Henderson, Fierabracci! Put down yer sticks, guitars, and face the wall. You're under arrest for playin' too darn fast. You have the right to remain silent . . . yeah right.

Footnote: Scott Henderson wrote to me recently -- stating that this was only meant to be a simple jam session in the studio and NOT to be officially or otherwise released publicly to his understanding. When it was released by Donati -- he was not happy at all -- furious is a better word methinks. After some legal wranglings things settled down but I think the overall debacle ruined relationships for years to come. Sad, really. If you can ever locate this ultra-rare CD for a decent price -- grab it. It is very, very rare killer fusion and no more copies will be made to my understanding.

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.

Absolutelly phenomenal album!Super jazz metal fusion made by true pros plus killer drumwork on this album,absolutelly mindblowing!Donati is a master of polyrhythms,his versatility is unbelieveble and this modern type of fusion can please even the most pretentious fusion lover!The sound is killer too,wonderful indeed!The diversity of the compositions is well balanced,each musician is an ace in hos work,but overall is this "not of this earth" drumming from Virgil Donati,absolutelly fantastic!Sometimes we have the impressions that the unbelieveble technical skills provided by Donati ,are here only to prove his fantastic talent and this music is made only for musicians!That's not true,but to fully understand this album,there are many auditions necessary!For me ,this is an essential album,a masterpiece in jazz metal fusion and deserves 5 stars!

Killer album!Absolutelly stunning piece of true art,a wonderful display of the almost inhuman technical skills for this out of this world musician!Being a longtime fan of this killer drummer,I was absolutelly thrilled to hear thet Mr Donati has a new solo album!And,this too long wait plenty worth it!IN THIS LIFE is far superior,from the technical point of view,but also because of the elaborated compositions,so it's far superior to all PLANET X impressive albums!Why?Simply,because on this album Doanti is pushing his technical skills to some unbelieveble limits,showing that he is almost a human drum machine!The sound is perfect,crystal clear and the diversity of the compositions is very atractive!!!This man can play some math rhythms,polirhythms that are scarry even for the accomplished drummers,not speaking about the beginners,which must be thrilled about this man demonstrations of unbelieveble virtuosity!A hard to dig album,but a very enjoyable musical experience,both for musicians or fans of extremelly technical fusion!!!It's difficult to find something else more technical or spectacular than this album ,because it's damn exceptional and skilled!All the guys in the band are aces and the impressive list of the guests invited,means a new recomendation for an exceptional album!Fantastic album,amazing musicianship,top class fusion album-a milestone album under all aspects!5 stars for me!

On the Virg is another progressive metal/jazz fusion band with quite complicated arrangements. They release so far a single album in 1999 named Serious young insects. Virgil Donaty the famous drumer is on the helm here, helped by other skillfull musicians Simon Hosford on guitar, Phil Turcio on keyboards, Evripides Evripidou on bass = the result is awesome instrumental album. The music as I said is quite complicated of course, going from prog metal chops to a more jazz fusion sophistication and complex arrangements with a good doze of harmonic parts where the guitar and keybords make the main role. The album is pretty solid, not a single piece is boring, the pieces flows from one to another pretty well, the listner remaing pleasent surprised in the end, like I was for sure. Similar with for ex Planet X, Derek Sherinian solo albums, LTE canadians Grey Matter, Cosmics etc. and with bands that incorporated besides prog metal jazz fusion elements giving a truly solid and well played prog metal fuzion. The musicianship as expected is top notch, Donati is a well known and respected musician (drumer) in this field , here is no less a brillienat performer. So, I will give 3.5 stars, great album, I realy liked what I've heared. Recommended to those who enjoy prog metal and aswell jazz fusion in same time.