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Michael Pinnella, in his solo release, “Enter by the Twelfth Gate”, shows that he is more than a metal keyboardist.
In fact, he is expresses himself, and his creativity, through more than just the keys that he plays. In original compositions,
and a take on a classical Etude, Pinnella shows that he is a composer on top of everything.
This disc starts off with a classical piano playing a semi-haunting melody, then slips into a medium piece orchestral
work, that favors the progressive sound of the modern synthesizer over the old standby. This works very well. The cd continues,
switching off from the synthesized sound to the other styles of the piano. To the unconditioned ear, which is mine, this can
get a little top-heavy, as the piano seems to highlight the dark passages, and the keyboard is in strike contrast with it,
and there is also the fact that the keyboard, as it should, sounds fake and seems to leave some of the music empty.
To accompany the keyboard work, there is a drum track present, which would sound much richer if done by a live drummer.
Also, there are synthesized symphonics, which again, would be more convincing if done by the real instrument.
With that said, this is not a metal release, but a showcasing of what metal musicians can do, and shows a softer, more
elegant side of the player. This cd is good for the occassional listen as background music, and offers soothing sounds for
reading and the ilk. But,, I do not find myself listening to it just to listen to it. I listen to it for well-played and well-put
together background music.
As for tracks that stand out, the Piano Concerto in all three of it's movements stand out to me, as they offer a sound
that goes to the edge of chaos, but keeps a good structure around it. Also, “Falling from the Sky” accomplishes
the same mood and feeling. The other songs are good, but I prefer the ones that focus on the classical sound, rather than
the fantasy sound.
My judgment is that this keyboardist, from Symphony X, puts out an instrumental cd that cannot be charged in this court,
as it is not metal. Yet, I would conclude that it has more than good, and the evidence is shown that Michael is innocent of
being a bad musician, and of putting out a bad release.
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