O3 A TRILOGY PART 3

I know, I know, but how can I resist? This guy got _thrown out_ of Dream Theater. :D :D :D

Obviously Dominici didn't get the boot for being too subtle because his new album is packed full of battle-axe metal dross. Any concessions to progressiveness are made mostly in the form of non-sequitur instrumental sections or else reside in the themes and lyrics which feign a modern topicality and relevance and are quite honestly terrible, although that's to be expected - it's not fair to rely on hard rock dorks to provide you with poignant social commentary. Additionally, in this case, it's not even fair to expect much entertainment.

This is just another Ayreon style album with a little more US power metal influence, still showcasing the cod-Metallica, cod-Opeth, cod-Maiden, cod-Queensryche, cod-music mastered twenty years ago with no innovation since power-prog sound which, during its short life-span, has evolved into the most stagnant hall-of-mirrors in all of progressive rock. Yes, it's very well played by some bored masters of their art. Yes, it's valid headbanging material. For all that, if you're not a fan of this strain of supposedly intelligent metal then this album won't change your mind, and if you are, you likely own at least five better versions of 03 A 03 Trilogy 03 Part 03, and that's plenty.

Someone give this genre a little more design space; it's incest out here.

Third part and of course the final one from the trilogy released in 2008 is another good progressive metal album, but I think is less spectacular then previous work. All the ingredients from second part are here, but this time the music is more metalized, in places is rougher, and I don't think is a winning card, if they kept the same sound and manner of composing like on second part would be much better release. The voice is again good , the instrumental passages are no more that intristing, maybe because Dominici who is the main composer wanted to sound more rougher then on predecesors, some parts sound like power metal, not far from morther band of the musicians Solid Vision. Tipical in manner of composing with an american band this third part is nothing really exciting even the musicianship is top notch again, the ideas and all is a little on the same with the hundred progressive metal bands who invaded the market in last years. For ex opening track King of terror is a pure power metal pieces and almost forgetable in my opinion, not a good stars for the album, where is that brilliant Monster opener from previous album?? All pieces stands for me as good but the magic is gone, a usual progressive metal album this time, but still leasent most of the time. Not a piece is in front, all have same level. I will give 3 stars for this third part. Something caught my attention while reading the booklet of the CD, is that all 3 parts of the trilogy is dedicated to Tigger Dominici, maybe you wonder who reperesents this name, being curious I've started to search his offcial site and discovered that the name is from his beloved cat who died in january 2008 while he was in the studio making this album. Because I love animals and specially cats I was very emotional touched about this dedication, is even a picture of his cat on the last page of the booklet. He got from me a big white ball because of that, bigger then for the music. What a great guy.

A brilliant show of continuity and traditional metal.

At last, we have the final installment of Dominci's epic trilogy, 03, the story of a terrorist who's mission was to essentially end the world by converting 02 (oxygen we breathe) into 03 (ozone, poisonous to breathe). From each edition, Dominici tweaks and messes with his sound. On the first album, he debuted as a solo acoustic guitar/singer, on the second he debuted his top-notch Italian prog metal band in an epic foray of great progressive metal, and on his third album, he continues this prog metal, but mixes a great many spices (some of them a wee bit stale) of traditional metal and thrash metal that dampens the great taste he had on the last album. Now, the last album was essentially another Dream Theater album with Vanden Plas mixed in, but it was still a great album. On this album, he tales all that and adds some not-so desirable influences. The album as a whole is good, but it's not spectacular. For the plot, it has broken completely from the main character (who has presumably died) and focuses on the entire world as an omniscient character, with some focuses on the detective (apparently named Anthony Dam).

The King of Terror outlines the current state of the world at war. It talks about the absolute chaos the population is currently in, after the massive explosion/terror attack that the main character had initiated. Musically, the song is quite diverse, starting out as a slow and somber track, but at one point it blasts into a metallic fury, which is actually quite a blast. The music is a little boring at times, but the lyrics, as always in this trilogy, are actually quite creative and poignant.

March Into Hell continues with the story of the chaotic state of humanity, delving deeper into the fact that the apocalypse is coming quite soon (if it hasn't already happened). Musically, the song is a little harsh. Dominici really strains is vocal chords this time with some crunchy vocals in the verses... it's a little alienating. The music sounds a little traditional, with some interesting instrumental sections and some pretty simple soloing, not like the complex solos heard in the last album.

So Help Me God focuses on the Detective Anthony Dam. Dam is praying to the Gods who he blames for the most part for the tragedy. He prays to stop it and get him out of this, which is legitimate. Some really great lines can be found in here lyrically, with some fantastic meanings. Musically, this track is another "eh" track. Of all the tracks, it is the most "eh" track. I mean, it borders on pop. Everything about it screams cheesy ballad, which is a little sad for the great metal man Dominici.

Liquid Lightning is one of my favorite tracks on the album, with some actually pretty cool riffing and instrumental and vocal pieces happening through the album. This track details how the armies of the world are experiencing the first signs of divine or extraterrestrial influence in the wars. This shows how the Anti-Christ wars detailed in the book of Revelation (I'll get to that in a second) are beginning. Musically, as I said before, this song for the most part ends the trend of boring tracks on the album. However, this track is one of the more Metallica-inspired tracks with a little but more thrashy roots, with much more "prog spice" thrown in as well, making this one of the better tracks on the album.

Enemies of God (the first 10+ minute track he's made! hooray!) is the next in line for this album's better tracks. This track details someone's (most likely the detective's) experiences with some kind of capture (most likely of a divine nature). Musically, it is again pretty interesting, with a lot more divergence from the typical thrash metal of the rest of the album. Typical of any good "epic", there is some really nice dynamic changes, from the hard metal to a softer proggish sound. Overall, this is one of the better tracks on the album.

Revelation is, sadly, an "eh" track in a chain of great tracks. Lyrically, it is essential, detailing how the detective dug "deep" and found a long lost (gasp) bible! In the bible, he found the (gasp!) book of Revelation, which essentially told the same story as what was happening around him. Musically, I call it an "eh" track only because the tracks surrounding it are bounds better than it, but it is bounds better than the tracks before Liquid Lighting (the "very eh" section). The music can get a little but traditional pop-metal at times, but then it breaks into some really cool experimental soling and prog metal-sounding soloing.

Hell on Earth is a good track, although Dominici's vocals sound rather strained again. It tells of the Gods' disappointment with humanity because of their failure to do anything they (he? she? it? I don't know) told us to do. Musically, the song is rather interesting, with some rather creative sections, and some more traditional sections, which continues the amazing continuity of traditional metal throughout the album.

Genesis is no doubt the best track on the album. Nearly no boring repetitive metal sections are found in this quintessential track. This track, lyrically, is purely amazing. The God's take Anthony Dam, the last living human on earth to a secluded garden where he is to live the rest of his days. His name tag when he is first captures reads "A. Dam," so the divine figures refer to him as Adam. They take some human DNA from his ribcage to make a female counterpart for him so they can live in harmony, restarting the cycle of life. Musically, it is spectacular, opening with an infective little proggy riff on the keyboards, which quickly is matched by the guitar, bass, and drums. This creative riffing changes throughout the song, but is still incredibly proggy and creative. The song puts such a great twist to the story and ends the trilogy spectacularly. Bravo!

ALBUM OVERALL: The epic conclusion to an epic trilogy is... not as epic as I just made it sound. At the forefront of this album, one may begin to believe Dominici had fallen into the grasp of popular metal. The music is a stale combination of the prog metal that most of us love, and the thrashy metal that most of... don't. As the album progresses (how fitting), the music gets progressively (ha ha) more progressive! Traditional song structure breaks down, songs get longer, all that good stuff. The story line is really what holds this album up above a lower rating, however. Dominci's lyrical skills haven't diminished since he helped Dream Theater way back in 1989, and this album's great lyrics and story really hit a chord. Overall, 03 part 3 is good, but it's not a must-have. 3+ stars.

Hey, Charlie finally released an album that doesn't sound entirely like Dream Theater!

Odd, since there's no separation at all from this and the previous record.

It's a bit more refined style that Dominici has developed here, and a more unique style at that. He finally managed to come into his own here. Just, one problem though; it's boring.

The entire album is boring.

The concept is still brilliant, and "King Of Terror" captures my attention, but fails to develop. It's simple, straight up progressive metal, like simple, straight up bourbon. Both are terribly by itself. They both need substance, flavor, that extra spice to make it something special. "Liquid Lightning" is one of the most interesting of the tracks, but I'd still prefer a DT album compared to this.

It's almost a "same song, different song" format, especially with "Enemies Of God". Again, it's straight up prog metal, just rehashed in a different way to become a different track. "Revelation" is more interesting as it starts off in a nice "Iron Maiden"-esque bass line (almost sounds like them at times) as the end of the album comes into sight, and tracks improve as well as "Hell On Earth" comes o....

Wait, I spoke too soon. Guess Dominici still wants to imitate DT.

It's not bad though, I must say. Even though I bashed Pt. 2 because it was too DT sounding, "Hell On Earth" starts off in DT fashion, and it's not bad. Then it gets heavier, slower and Dominici just throws up on this song.

At least he goes out with a bang. "Genesis" is probably the most worthwhile of tracks here on this record, and guess what it sounds like most?! I must say, though, it is well played, well recorded and well composed. Unfortunately, it didn't exactly save this album from failure.

So, Dominici couldn't save his job with Dream Theater. He couldn't make an album that sounded like Dream Theater, and yet he could make a good album without imitating Dream Theater in some of his songs!

Maybe Charlie should get an account on ProgArchives here. Save his reputation a bit.