Alberto Rigoni : Rebirth
by Joe Mis
Staff Writer
If you’re tired of the screaming, growling and moaning out in the current metal scene and want to listen to real music, then the latest release from well-respected bass player Alberto Rigoni, entitled Rebirth, may be just the ticket.
Alberto Rigoni may be a new name for some, but he has been a vital part of the music scene for a while. Best know as the bass player for the progressive metal band Twinspirits he has garnered much praise for his fresh and unique style.
A native of Montebelluna, Italy, Rigoni started playing with Ascra, a progressive-metal cover band. He joined Twinspirits in 2003, and worked on some solo material as well, releasing his debut album Something Different in 2008. Not content with just solo works and Twinspirits, Rigoni made guest appearances on a number of other albums, and formed the pop-electro-experimental project called Lady & The Bass with Italian singer Irene Ermolli. In 2010 the prolific bassist began work on Rebirth and gathered a number of top notch talent to assist, including Gavin Harrison (Porcupine Tree), John Macaluso (Ark, Yngwie Malmsteen), vocalist Jonas Erixon (Alicate), guitarists Tommy Ermolli (Twinspirits) and Simone Mularoni (DGM, Empyrios), keyboardists Federico Solazzo (Alexia), Andrea Pavanello (Centrica), Filippo Lui and Emanuele Casali (DGM, Astra).
Rigoni’s latest solo effort is a fine one. Rebirth is a mix of many genres, everything from moody, almost ambient progressive rock instrumentals to melodic metal vocal tracks. Not just a exposition of fine bass playing, Rebirth is 9 tracks of solid music, mostly tending towards progressive rock with a metal edge. Nicely balanced and engineered to emphasize the bass, Rigoni manages to dazzle the listener without making a “bass guitar” album.
The album starts on a high with the bouncy and progressive rocker “Free,” while “Rebirth” is a melodic bass masterpiece with many classical influences. In today’s music most bass players simply pound out rhythms lines, but Rigoni fully PLAYS the instrument to its full potential. “Story of a Man” continues on the softer rock side while adding jazz influences, and features some very intricate drum work backing up the elegant bass line that builds in intensity as the song evolves. “The Net” is an atmospheric, almost ambient rock piece that leads into the straight up rocker “Emptiness.” This track is the first appearance of fine Swedish singer Jonas Erixon, and proves that Rigoni can slot his impressive chops into a vocal piece without dominating the music or distracting the listener.
“A New Soul” sounds almost new-age with a touch of the Dixie Dregs rolled in for good measure. This track fully displays Rigoni’s ability to convey true emotion with the bass – not an easy task. “With All My Forces” is metal, pure and simple. Great bass, intense guitars, solid vocals and fine drums make this track a winner. Intricate proggie bass drives “Ontogeny,” and a new-age lightness and great keyboards fill the final track, “White Shine.”
Bassists everywhere could learn a thing or two from Rigoni, not just as players but as songwriters. Alberto’s diverse influences and styles show him to be a complete musician and an outstanding performer, delivering everything from simple rhythms to complex runs while never neglecting the melodic elements or breaking from traditional song structures. He play with his heart, emotionally and expressively.
If you play bass, don’t let Alberto Rigoni’s Rebirth pass you by. If you simply like good modern rock, get it. If you enjoy music for music’s sake then you can’t do much better than this. Rebirth is modern melodic rock at its finest.
Genre: Progressive Rock
Band:
Alberto Rigoni (bass)
Yves Carbonne (bass on 2, 3)
Michael Manring (bass on 3, 6)
Gavin Harrison (drums on 1, 5, 7)
John Macaluso (drums on 3, 8 )
Jonas Erixon (vocals on 5, 7)
Tommy Ermolli (guitars on 1, 5)
Simone Mularoni (guitars on 7)
Federico Solazzo (keyboards on 1, 2, 9)
Filippo Lui (keyboards on 5)
Emanuele Casali (keyboards on 7)
Andrea Pavanello (keyboards on 8 )
Track Listing:
1. Free
2. Rebirth
3. Story Of A Man
4. The Net
5. Emptiness
6. A New Soul
7. With All My Forces
8. Ontogeny
9. White Shine
Label: Nightmare Records
Website: http://www.albertorigoni.net/
Hardrock Haven rating: 9/10