M.Z. - Romantic (2005)Manitou Music/Thundering Records

I was a bit surprised when I saw only three musicians on the outside sash of "Romantic" booklet at first glance. Only later on I came to a conclusion that there are also musicians known from the previous M.Z.'s CDs. But it must be announced that the hard core of "Romantic" are: Laurent Bourgin (drums, vocals), Markus Fortunato (bass guitars, vocals) and Julien 'Fenril' Adamo (lead guitars, vocals). Other musicians who also contributed to "Romantic" to some degree are: Zan Dang (guitars, vocals), Raphaë Gherissi (keys, vocals), Jean-Jacques Fanciullotti (vocals) and Fabrice Garcia (vocals). By the way, the latter one appeared on the second M.Z.'s album.

Just at the beginning, I must write that I did enjoy album's division into two parts: first seven tracks are M.Z.'s originals and five compositions are classical ones. In such a case, every listener can juxtapose M.Z.'s original stuff with classical composers' works and do an antonomous comparison. But let's start from the scratch. You can surely expect solemn and unorthodox compositions plus unpredictable solutions in arrangements. Some of you can be curious about vocal parts. I'd like to mark a certain characteristic. None of musicians and vocalists sing solo parts! They only perform choral and narrative parts! It means that "Romantic" is mainly an instrumental album. You will be able to listen to men's choirs in Latin, English and French, but I modestly think that they can seem to be too monotonous and sluggish. I don't want to suggest that M.Z.'s music here is boring. No, you can be sure of rhythmic power metal in contemporary meaning. For example, you can encounter a neoclassical blows exchange between Zan Dang and Raphaë Gherissi in "Rising Damages" where is disclosed a difference between guitar styles of Zand Dang and Julien Adamo. Zan is a specialist in furious neoclassical solos, however Adamo's guitar playing is more atmospheric and emotional expression-minded (please, try his beautiful parts on classical guitar in "Epic Poem of Middle Age"). Obviously, you will have a chance of listening to their fast alternating guitar solos as well. I am of the opinion that neoclassical and a little bit progressive keys solos by Raphaë Gherissi are perfectly matched with album's title, since his parts remind me of piano works typical of romanticism. It doesn't mean that all the tracks refer to a mentioned period in the history of music. For instance, "Hungarian Divertimento" is a reference to serial musical form performed in the 18th century (mainly in Austria). It consists of 4 to 10 movements (dances, variations, sonata etc.) and used to be played by string, wind or instrumentally mixed groupes. Divertimento is similar to serenade that was typical of classicism. Now, we should step forward to the second part of "Romantic". Does it mean that all these compositions have their roots in romanticism? Definitely not! The only one romantic composer is Franz Schubert. Il prette rosso ("red priest"), that is Antonio Vivaldi lived and played in advanced baroque, however Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Ludwig van Beethoven were classical composers. A feast with the Great Composers is started by a subtle and calm introduction to Mozart's "Concerto #21". There is an interesting story hidden behind Vivaldi's "Mandolins Concerto in C". Antonio Vivaldi worked in Venetian orphanage Ospedale della Pieta as a concertmaster and conductor, and probably composed "Concerto in C major" for mandolin and orchestra especially for his charges. This composition is very dynamic and refreshing, additionally enriched by majestic dignity and sinful guitar and bass solos. "Pathetique Sonatina D" was originally composed for piano, but M.Z.'s interpretation has been successful thanks to accurate and dazzling guitar solos. Beethoven would have sounded alike after electric steroids, haha. One of the calmest track is Schubert's "Sonata in A" played andantino (andante is a moderate tempo, and andantino is a bit faster). M.Z.'s crew chose less known compositions from the past, but Vivaldi's "Winter Concerto (Allegro non molto)" is undoubtedly one of the most famous baroque hits performed not too fast (as is advisable in Italian hint in a parenthesis).

I am satisfied with the results achieved on "Romatic". Frenchmen managed to keep high artistic level going and bring own instrumental heaviness to other composers' works. The line-up reshuffle has proved that M.Z. isn't only a project of two musicians, but a real balanced band indeed!