H R H - R E V I E W S

Moonlight Comedy
Dorothy Lion Music

Comments: When Simone Fiorletta, one of the most gifted up and coming guitarists in the world, provides the axe play on a progressive rock/metal album it is probably a good idea to check it out. Fiorletta is simply magical with the six strings, playing brilliantly whether in an aggressive metal fashion or an emotional rock inspired love song. His album Parallel Worlds (Lion Music 2005) was certainly one of the best instrumental guitar releases of the past decade. It is on this platform that Moonlight Comedy ultimately succeeds.

Three years after the release of their first album The Life Inside, Moonlight Comedy is back again on the same label (Lion Music) with Dorothy. This band is really unique and is not easy to either categorize or characterize. Elements of rock and power metal combine with eclectic beautiful progressive passages throughout. This is heady music though and not for all rock and metal fans.

Moonlight Comedy also treats Dorothy like a theatrical presentation and refers to the songs as acts and the musicians as actors. What is created by Moonlight Comedy is a niche genre or possibly a new genre, but unlike other bands that try and recreate the wheel, this is quality music. At times the band makes you angry for not flowing or being cohesive while other times you applaud that unique approach.

After a goofy woman spoken word intro for the first track the first real song is "Solar Eclipse" where the band's diversity is thoroughly highlighted. Electronics coming from Gianluigi Farina start it out then a torturous background guitar section from Fiorletta and then the powerful vocals of Emiliano Germani. Midway through the malaise a keyboard solo hits you square in the face and is swiftly mirrored by a mach three sonic piece from Simone. Then the tempo slows and Fiorletta and Co. plays slow distortion filled melodies. Finally the song ends with a minute of believe, it or not, silence.

The third cut is more of the same and shows the keyboard prowess of Farina battling again with Mr. Fiorletta for supremacy. This style of music is great to analyze the individual instrumentation and vocals but leaves much to be desired when it comes to building solid cohesive songs. This is shown by the most diverse song lengths in history. There is everything from 39 second to 12 minute songs here, and most of it is entertaining but far from classic songwriting.

This album is full of amazing musicianship and should be judged positively. Not every band is going to be able to deliver amazing songs and expert musicianship like Dream Theatre. The funny thing is, this band probably could but seems simply not to want to. All in all this is a wonderful opportunity to hear the diverse guitar wizardry of Simone Fiorletta and some pretty decent Progressive Metal. It is certainly perfect for the guitarheads out there looking for a new guitar hero. Get online and buy one today.

Band Members:
Actor I: Emiliano Germani - Vocals
Actor II: Gianluigi Farina - Keyboards
Actor III: Simone Fiorletta - Guitars
Actor IV: Armando Pizzuti - Bass
Actor V: Andrea Scala - Drums & Percussion

Track Listing:
01. Intro Desire & Whisper
02. Solar Eclipse
03. Fallin' Under
04. The Sea And Time Of Mars
05. Metamorfosi
06. Lunar Eclipse
07. Into Whispers & Desire
08. Imperfect Mind
09. Dust Of The Past
10. …And Why Not?
11. Side Effects

Hardrock Haven rating: 7.8/10