MOONLIGHT COMEDY – Dorothy

Formed in 1998, Moonlight Comedy’s second release through Lion Music, Dorothy is set for release, following The Life Inside in 2004. Various members of the band are also featured on a number of the label’s other releases, such as tribute CD’s to Jason Becker, Jimi Hendrix, and Shawn Lane.

Moonlight Comedy are Italian, but in heavier moments they come across more like their American Progressive Metal counterparts, like in the double kick-off of “Solar Eclipse” and “Fallin’ Under,” both quite impressive in their delivery, however, “Metamorfosi” lasts a whole eleven and a half minutes and, ironically, given the title, manages to not transform into anything other than a bore-fest from start to finish. Maybe that’s an accomplishment in itself?

Moonlights Comedy’s ballad-sense rears its head in “Lunar Eclipse.” It mainly serves as an intro for “Into Whispers And Desire,” which features more of the band’s melodic, quieter side, revealing their Italian heritage more than the heavier leanings that are showcased elsewhere. Speaking of which, staccato riff-age marks a return in “Imperfect Mind,” also featuring busy interludes between keyboards and guitar, an on-going, recurring musical theme for Moonlight Comedy. It fails to feature the catchiness of its heavy counterpart “Fallin’ Under,” though.

“Dust Of The Past” is a short piano-like interlude, which provides a contrast to a release where the guitar playing is the strength, covering up obvious lack of memorable quality. The musicianship is excellent as is most often the case with Progressive Metal bands, but likewise remains anonymous, save for the star of the show: guitarist Simone Fiorletta, who also has a solo career going, having released Parallel Worlds. Or, maybe that should read “actor” instead of “guitarist,” as the band members prefer to be seen as actors. According to the press release, Fiorletta is Actor III out of the bunch -– there’s a total of five of them! Actors need to to be able to pull off more persona and, above all, “warmth” to their character in order to stand out and make the proceedings work … that’s more important than displaying pure technicality. Hence the problem with Moonlight Comedy and this release.

It’s very doubtful a band can manage to excel off of inspired guitar work alone (although, ask Yngwie J. Malmsteen), and Moonlight Comedy doesn’t have enough different or precise to offer in a jungle of newer Progressive, Symphonic, and grandiose-themed bands and musicians that are out there now.