Album Review - Giuntini Project - III

Tony Martin has always been one of my favored vocalists but his last few projects have left me feeling cold inside. His solo album from last year was too monotonous and even the Rainbow influenced Rondinelli disc seemed uninspired. So this is great news for fans of Mr. Martin. The Giuntini Project gives him the material he deserves and lets him just belt it for a total heavy metal destruction.

Giuntini has managed to pump out only three solo cds in the past sixteen years. The last one, titled "II" was out almost ten years ago, in 1998. The music is an explosive pot of various artists packed into one firecracker. Sparks of early Dokken, bits of the Rainbow arc in its shades and variations, Tyr-era Black Sabbath and "Marching Out" Yngwie Malmsteen are brought together for a combination that is out of this freakin' world. You can tell that it is a great advantage that these two have worked together in the past, because the songs penned make the most of Tony's powerful range and milk every ounce of his excess of drama.

Martin's last truly exceptional appearance was on Dario Mollo's The Cage "II" disc. So surprise, he pops here as producer and gives this disc the same kind of dark but profound sound that was present on his own album. The mix is balanced and finely done, drawing out the best elements of the music and allowing even the gloomiest bits to stand apart with a crisp feel. It is so easy for darker music to become one big muddled puddle. Dario however, keeps it fresh, which adds alot to the overall quality of the music.

Which speaking of the music, it is perhaps not the most original in the world. While that has been a major sticking issue for a majority of recently pushed out the door discs, this one is different. It all lies in the overall quality. This is culled from a rich heritage of past creations, but somehow feels both familiar and fresh. Dated back a decade or two perhaps, but freshly inspired. That spark is there that has been missing from alot of metal lately. The artists that were making albums based after these styles have moved on or grown stale thus leaving the hole for "III" to fill as well. If the songs were derivative junk then it would be a useless disc, but everything is so well performed and crafted that it is hard not to fall straight into love. Especially if you are predisposed to a Dio/Rainbow/Sab infatuation.

Here are a few of the highlights you can expect:

Gold Digger gets the disc off running with a typical up front Rainbow-ish crackler in the shadow of "Do You Close Your Eyes" or "Drinking With the Devil". A tornado of axe infused rock'n'roll.

Early Warning could have been a dazzling cut off of Yngwie's "Marching Out". Great guitars abound and a fast pacing make it a blisteringly cool rocker.

Que Es La Vida is an awesome Black Sabbath-like epic song about life, death and the eternal drop into oblivion. Posing questions of the afterlife and what lies beyond, this mesmerizing doom kissed track finds its groove and growls there. Pondering and wondering, it unravels with a slow edginess. Guitars and vocals build and entwine around each other as questions are probed and answers are not quite found. Giutini himself believes this to be his best work ever, and he has a point. A truly awe-inspiring track.

Fool Paradise makes you think of Dio's "Stand Up and Shout", etc. Gripping, lightning guitar reminiscent of Blackmore mixed with Vivian Campbell from Dio's solo stuff. Quick and dirty, this is another furious rocker.

Anno Mundi (The Vision) has one of those fantastic slow paced openings with a creepy ambiance before kicking into gritty guitars and an ominous tone to the voice. Tony's nuances breathe life into the lyrics, putting the perfect flourishes where required. Also of note is the sizzling guitar solo that just halts all of a sudden and then cranks up the spook factor with a background that is like the instrumental theme from a horror movie. Lumberingly paced all the way through, yet strong and dramatic from start to completion. So what if it is a cover version of a song from "Tyr"? It may be blasphemy but I prefer this version.

The Closest Thing to Heaven another revisit of the Martin Sabbath sound with a thickly painted coating of Dio from "Lock Up the Wolves". The backing vocals are just spooky... and the RJD-inspired lyrics are just as captivating. It struggles with themes of good vs. evil and wondering about all that is inbetween. Heaven turns into hell and vice versa, lit by a carefully paced metal slab of an instrumental backing. And Aldo's guitar break away... its short, near the ending, but magnificently bristling.

As an extra treat, the two instrumentals included in the running time are actually worthwhile. Guitar freaks can feast upon Tutmosis IV - Tarantula that crawls and stings like the deadly spider it takes its name from and the varied and constructually beautiful, Memories in the Sand.

I love the flashback to the Dio days, with the questions of immortality and afterlife, plus the age old struggle between the forces of good and evil and caught in the middle of it all. The inspired, firey guitars of Aldo are a breath of fresh air after hearing so many axeslingers just going through the motions. This is a splendid slice of heavy metal with deep 80s roots running throughout. If you were in love with Martin-era Sabbath or any and all things Dio and Rainbow influenced, then this one is for you. "III" puts the fire back where it belongs - in the music.

Written by Alanna
Thursday, May 25, 2006
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Ratings

Alanna: 8/10

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