Ferrigno & Leal - Playing Fountains - 2024
“... dedicated to Silvia Martinez Ancira ...”
intro
More than 20 years ago Wim Verweij wrote a review for progVisions about the album 'Promised Land' by Ferrigno Leal Kuprij. It did not get the highest rating because the music is not really meant for our progVisions target audience. This review is still online and was noticed by guitarist Marco Ferrigno, who spontaneously sent me a message asking if I wanted to listen to his new CD, which he made together with Javier Leal. The album with the title 'Playing Fountains' was released independently.
line-up
Marco Ferrigno - guitar; Javier Leal - guitar; George Bellas - guitar on 'Dynasties'; Pete Griffin - bass; Thomas Lang - drums
Keyboards arrangements by Alex Argento
review
In the booklet of the digipak version of the album, the line-up does not really mention a keyboard player, but if you read further, you will see the name of Alex Argento, who is responsible for the keyboard arrangements. In the intro of the opening track 'Playing Fountains' (6:04) you can also hear them, but soon you hear where both guitarists Marco Ferrigno and Javier Leal get their inspiration. We are flooded with overwhelming guitar work in the highest gear. The music has more of a metal vibe than a progressive rock vibe. Technically, this guitar work is of a high level, but you have to like it. In addition to the high-speed guitar work, there are also some melodic guitar parts. The latter gives a bit more variation, but in general you are completely blown away by the fast guitar playing of both gentlemen. The next track 'Antiquarian' (5:36) seems to have a somewhat calmer build-up with beautiful melodic guitar work, but soon those fast guitar parts come around the corner again. But this song has some more resting points and variation. Personally, I can really appreciate that. I would have liked to hear that variation in the opening track. But I do think that the title track reflects what you can expect on this album. On the third track 'Dynasties' a third guitarist joins in, George Bellas. As expected you get some very intense guitar battles between the guys. At times you get the feeling that a high-speed train is thundering past. Technically it's all very well put together but personally I think it's a bit too much of a good thing. In 'Wear And Tear' (6:07) there are fortunately some melodic guitar parts again. The songs with more variation and melody lines are the most interesting for me and progressive rock fans. I think metalheads will go for the high-speed guitar work more. This short album ends with the track 'Morning Falls' (5:07) in which the guys have managed to find a better balance between the melodic parts and the technical high-speed guitar work. The keyboards (orchestrations) also come into their own here.
conclusion
Guitarists Marco Ferrigno and Javier Leal present an overwhelming calling card with the album 'Playing Fountains'. The album sounds good and if you like technically advanced guitar work and are not averse to fast guitar licks then this could be an album for you. The vibe is more in the metal side of the progressive rock spectrum. Personally I find the songs with a bit more melody and variation the most interesting. All that high speed and sometimes freaky guitar work is tiring for the listener. Fans of high speed guitar work know what to do, enjoy the music and judge for yourself.