KEYSTONE

Italian keyboardist Alessandro BERTONI is most likely an unknown entity for most, although those with good memories and extensive, deep knowledge may recall that he used to be a member of the Italian band Aphelion. These days Bertoni is based in the US, and just to maintain a true international approach by luck or design he signed to the fledgling German label Generation Prog Records in 2013 for the release of his first solo album "Keystone".

As far as debut albums go, Alessandro Bertoni delivers a high-quality one. The material is somewhat predictable admittedly: instrumental progressive rock with metal tendencies and plenty of soloing, and while the jazz-tinged details do expand the palette a bit, this isn't an album that ventures forth into any new territories as such. The compositions are well made and excellently performed however, and Sherinian delivers as expected in the production department too. A good album then, and one that those who have a taste for intense instrumental progressive rock should lend an ear too, especially if they also have a taste for artists that incorporate jazz into such landscapes.