Dominici - O3 A Trilogy Part Three

Charles Dominici has forever been known in metal circles as Dream Theater's 'lost' vocalist, having appeared on their debut album 'When Dream And Day Unite' and then disappearing when that album failed to live up to commercial expectations. Petrucci and gang went back to the drawing board and drafted in Canadian James Labrie, who has fronted the prog metal leviathans ever since, and Dominici was seemingly consigned to history.

However, the last couple of years have seen the release of the first two parts of '03 - A Trilogy', concept albums that have found him operating very much in the same musical vein as early Dream Theater: indeed many 'old timer' DT fans who've heard these albums actually prefer their classic era sound over the increasingly eclectic offerings from Portnoy and crew. So, with the concluding album has Dominici delivered?

Overview!

In a word - yes! This is a great album that fans of DT, Symphony X, Ayeron - and prog metal in general - should check out immediately. There is nothing particularly revelatory about this collection of lengthy prog workouts - they all follow a set formula of cracking metal riffs, soaring keyboards, epic melodies and guitar solos, all topped off by Dominici's distinctive vocals.

This album is one best listened to in one sitting to get maximum effect, but the songs each have enough of an identity that you can still jump in and out atrandom and still have a cracking good time. Dominici's vocal mannerisms are still arguably an acquired taste, but on the whole he acquits himself very well. There is little point in signaling out any one song in particular, as all are of a very high standard - and the album flows very well to create a cohesive whole. However, should you wish to pick out one track that sums up the album you could do worse than checking out 'Genesis' - the albums finale: this a great example of precision prog metal with it's myriad of time changes and moods: one minute intensely melodic the next heavy as hell - and always with lashings of virtuoso drumming, keyboards and GREAT guitar soloing!

Conclusion

This is a great collection of prog metal aided by a great band - and old school Petrucci fans disenchanted with his recent increasingly speed orientated approach need to invest in this album - and its predecessor - as Brian Maillard is quite simply a shit hot virtuoso metal/shred guitarist!

Coincidentally, his combination of technical virtuosity, melodic phrasing and great tone is very reminiscent of James Labrie's amazing solo album guitarist Marco Sfogli. Blistering speed picking, slippery legato, smooth tapping and expansive sweeping abound with devastating accuracy: he is very, very good - and super melodic too. Those who hark back to Petrucci's 'Images And Words' era style of playing will relish this - and indeed all fans of classic prog metal should make this album a priority buy!