Please, go on http://antonellogiliberto.jimdo.com/press-1/ for a collection of reviews about the album! The high profiled, reputed and lately very dynamic, label Minotauro Records is excited to announce the release of Antonello Giliberto second album"Journey Through My Memory",this ambitious instrumental disc follows the same stylistic path as the first full-length CD “The Mansion of Lost Souls” (2013) an it was composed and recorded in an intense time course of 2 years in a full inspirational frenzy period. But the real difference between “Journey Through My Memory” and the debut, is clearly set in the recording line up as Mr Giliberto is now backed up by an immensely talented rhythmic team, namely the legendary sticks master John Macaluso (ex RIOT /ex TNT/ex RISING FORCE/ex ARK) & and the veteran from Italy Dino Fiorenza on Bass guitar… Who’s shining bright with all his four strings techniques applied for some interresting intervention in almost every cut! The title of the album stems from the fact that every track is related in some way about his own past, his dreams and also his everyday experiences, translated into instrumental music with a strong Symphonic/Barocco and Neo-Classical reminiscences infused with the Metal pulse and some orchestral parts or emotional orchestral arrangements, in similarity with eccentric motion-pictures soundtracks, but without losing the original Rock pace! Only exception and maybe the sole disappointment is the short medieval flute driven lullaby “Avalon’s Darkness” maybe too gimmick/Predictable and caricatural, but beside that slight reproach, I think it’s a valuable guitar album, clever and richer than it seems. Indeed, Antonello Giliberto can be proud of his achievement, this improved work on “Journey Through My Memory” is an huge step forward , as much in its new way of approaching the compositions than in his methodic production design… His guitar playing is stellar! Of course, the cross-link with the usual Guitar gods is very right… The influences are numerous… The parallels are quite obvious but the guitar afficionados and others Shred addicts will be in fretboard Heaven with some particulary interesting licks, furiously demented and sharp, constantly filled with some tasteful virtuosic fireworks of notes… But the melodic hooks are still in omnipresent and in majority, so even the more mainstream pedestrian audience, with a more song focus concern and a classic Metal accessibility will be seduced by this guitar extravaganza built in a 10 tracks journey… Opening with the Epic “Demeter” and closing with the perfectly denominated “The Art of Ending”! (From http://www.metal-temple.com) I don’t know a whole lot about Antonello Giliberto, but I will say that what I have heard on this advance promo disc has been quite intriguing. It began with thick synths and pounding riffs with “Demeter 6:37” which built up into memorable leads right from the get-go. If you haven’t already noticed, the entire record is purely instrumental and offers no vocal outputs of any kind, as it instead seems to traverse the territory of Japanese influenced neoclassical metal and offer something of a Castlevania approach. One could just as well refer to it as “Castlevania Metal” and it indeed would work as a theme music to a gothic fighting game of sorts, like Serio’s Castlevania Fighter game, or a new Darkstalkers output. I hope this comparison isn’t taken as an affront to these guys, because I surely don’t see this kind of music being compared to heavily calculated melodic compositions as used in Japanese games to be a bad thing. In fact, it’s just the kind of thing that I would love to hear when I’m gaming and it fits the mood. Some people don’t feel that way, but I like my metal with a whip and a goblet of blood every now and again. “Endless Labyrinth 4:33” continues this neoclassical-influenced “Castlevania Metal” mood, as I even begin to whip out my air guitar and play along with them. At this point, I’ve become completely enraptured in the melody and I’m almost crying tears of joy at the degree of awesomeness on the recording thus far. The title track (6:48) enters right into a thick display of Baroque, which makes me picture a great ballroom or a large table filled to the brim with fine food and wine. It’s well out of my price range; I can assure you of that! At any rate, the guitars come in with a fervor like that of Guilty Gear as the keyboards slowly work their way to bedazzlement. The keyboards and guitars seem to work hand in hand here, making me completely speechless as my hands continue to do the talking as they write this review. The next piece takes a little bit of a break from all the shredding and gloomy castles, as “Enigma Of Eternal Night 5:40” seems to instead feel a little more intimate and romantic. It’s a beautiful peace that feels like it would play during a save point of sorts, and is very much a respite from the elegant metal which serves to back unknown amounts of carnage within the confines of this dark fortress. But then when we leave the respite, the metal returns in “First Day Lights At The Monastery 5:25” as “Avalon’s Darkness 4:26” takes us to yet another save point of sorts. Here, there actually is some vocalization of a female variety (but no actual singing) as well as some flute playing and a misty atmosphere. It feels like a holy place of sorts and seems like the final respite before a major boss battle. That big battle seems to be orchestrated in the grandiosity that is “And Won Their Freedom 4:54” which has all manner of choral chants, heavy leads and an overall sense that something ancient and powerful is being referenced to within this chamber. We’ll think we’ve won when a sort of victorious march utters in “Perfect Dream 6:42” but that quickly changes when the real foe unmasks itself and prepares for a duel. As heavily textured leads and unimaginable solos take the stage, I’ve no doubt that a fierce skirmish is being fought which will leave both combatants horribly scathed on the battlefield. As the foe breathes his last, a few twinkles near the end of the piece seem to allow the hero to wipe the sweat from his brow as he observes the tranquility before him. “Flying With The Dragon 4:49” seems to be just the kind of theme to see yet another fearsome beast emerge, but not today as the lovely melodies seem to serenade his descent back to the village (where everyone is probably dead, more or less) as keyboards seem to cry out with the joys of his victory. Yes, Journey Through My Memory is indeed that kind of instrumental metal album, and several tales can be told within these ten tracks; even though I’ve told one of my own. As for “The Art Of Ending 1:36” it just feels like the romantic ending credits to what was no doubt a wonderful listening experience, and one heck of a game. If it ever was a game. In the end, both I and The Grim Tower highly recommend Antonello Giliberto’s Journey Through My Memory which is indeed a journey that I swear gets better with every listen. This is a record that I want to play again and again and I think you’ll feel the same way. These men are master musicians and their talent bodes true for what I feel is truly exemplary. So whether you call it neoclassical metal or “Castlevania Metal” like myself, then I’m sure you’ll agree that it’s worth more than a few listens and you’ll give it the attention it deserves. It grabs you at “Demeter” and doesn’t let go until the end. So ready your whip, sword or battle-axe and begin the journey for yourself. You’ll be glad you did. The record is available from Minotauro Records and can be picked up here. (10 Tracks, 51:00) 9/10 (From http://thegrimtower.com)