PINNELLA: Enter By the Twelfth Gate CD ....Symphony X keyboardist ....check audio samples

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Pinnela of Symphony X is one of the most talented prodigies to ever touch the keyboard! After discovering Michael, I really wanted to follow not only his creations, but Symphony X's as well. # 2, "Edge of Insanity" is one of my fave picks. For all of you "pianists", this album is definitely the one for you!

Stepping out of his usual role as keyboardist/composer for the hugely successful progressive rock band, Symphony X, Michael Pinnella now has the opportunity to showcase his considerable talent in a new and more intimate fashion. Michael accomplishes this via his new solo CD, Enter Through The Twelfth Gate. Unbridled by any formula, Michael rollicks through this CD with reckless abandon. Soaring synthesizer leads, regal grand piano melodies and complex orchestral passages make this CD a keyboard enthusiasts dream-come-true. In a beautiful marriage of rock and classical music, Michael’s virtuosity shines on this release which will have direct appeal to the growing Symphony X fan base and to fans of great instrumental music in general.

5.0 out of 5 stars The exquisite part of Symphony X,
This is one great cd, but don't buy this expecting the same delivery as Symphony X. Michael Pinnella has already established himself as an incredibly talented keyboard player with his ridiculous displays of chops heard in SyX solos. On this cd, he certainly shows off chops, but it is his incredible compositional and arranging skills that are front and center. The music presented on this cd is a melting pot of styles of music performed on different keyboards and pianos with some drum and bass backing. The production is great and the songs are short and varied enough that the listener stays engaged throughout the presentation. Although it is not metal, one can certainly hear who provides the exquisite and refined textures in Symphony X. After hearing this cd, I hope Symphony X continues to balance the power and raw technical mastery of guitarist Michael Romeo with the grand touch that Pinnella clearly demonstrates on this cd. I would certainly put this cd up with anything that Rudess, Kuprij, or even Wakeman have done.

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect combination of Prog, Classical and Rock!,
Thoroughly and thoughtfully composed, brimming with intricate counterpoint and teeming with sensitive arrangemetns, file this album under "keyboardist surpasses his full-time band with solo album". This is not a "knock" on Symphony X by any means. Symphony X is undoubtedly one of today's premiere prog-metal bands and their fans will certainly find much to *love* in this album.

Even so, these songs breathe and pulsate with a singularly expansive "X-factor" all their own. This wonderful combination of Classical and Progressive rock elements deserves the widest of Prog audiences. This music sits comfortably next to Patrick Moraz, The Enid (or perhaps even Danny Elfman!?!) much moreso than with anything from the Symphony X discography.

No matter *where* you "file it" in your collecton, if you appreciate piano and keyboard progressive rock genius, pick this one up! You won't be sorry!

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