Un ritorno sorprendente, all’insegna di un metal sontuoso e regale. Oggi la musica di Antonio Giorgio ha pochi rivali in termini di magniloquenza epica e “Imajica” è una gemma che splende nella scena metal mondiale. Il campano, dell’area Irpina per la precisione, Antonio Giorgio, era uscito dai radar dopo la pubblicazione dell’esordio “Golden Metal” del 2017, una vera e propria dichiarazione d’intenti stilistica, più che un semplice titolo, apprezzato dalla critica di tutto il mondo. Questo ritorno non fa altro che ampliare e migliorare la sua formula espressiva, sempre riconducibile ad un heavy metal carico di enfasi, proiettato verso i lidi di sonorità epiche, riconducibili a quelli che sono i suoi idoli dichiarati: Black Sabbath era-Dio e lo stesso Ronnie James Dio solista, Queensrÿche e Fates Warning, senza dimenticare un tocco di eleganza sulla scia del class metal dei Dokken e la spinta dinamica di certo epic power di scuola Elegy e Stratovarius. Ma tutte queste influenze trovano una nuova visione nelle lunghe tracce di “Imajica”, suonate da musicisti di spessore, assemblati dal titolare a seconda dell’esigenza del singolo brano, con in rosa alcuni ospiti prestigiosi come Ian Parry, Claudia Beltrame e Mark Vanderbilt. Se la cadenzata “Gothic Church”, il primo singolo, accompagnato da un bel videoclip, è forse la canzone che meglio identifica il sound dell’album, la lunga “Wisdom of Imagination” dimostra il coraggio di Antonio Giorgio. In quanti avrebbero la sfacciataggine di aprire un album con una suite di dodici minuti? “Silver Sanctum”, “Lucifer’s Treasures” sono brani ammantati di epicità che ci accompagnano al terzo atto del disco, “The System Vision”, dove la suite che intitola l’album è un centro di gravità, che seduce chiunque ha amato il metal anni lussuoso degli anni ’80. In chiusura una credibile cover di “I Will Remember” dei Queensryche, che dimostra la crescita come cantante di Antonio Giorgio, che sfoggia la sua timbrica calda ed espressiva. Diviso in tre atti, “Imajica” è un viaggio negli anni gloriosi del metal epico e regale, dove raramente è la velocità a prendere il sopravvento, ma è sempre il tempo medio, un’andatura cavalleresca ed elegante, a dare il senso di sfarzo e potenza, esibita senza violenza, ma sempre con orgoglio. Straordinario il lavoro dei musicisti, con chitarre in primo piano e ritmiche veramente equilibrate, notevoli anche gli interventi di tastiere ed importanti le cascate di cori che accompagnano la voce solista. Come per il precedente album anche “Imajica” (che nella versione digitale offre alcune tracce bonus), vanta una meravigliosa confezione in digipack, con un libretto ricco di foto, testi e spiegazioni, che aumentano il valore di un grande disco che è un raggio di luce per tutti gli amanti del (golden) metal epico, un genere rimasto in mano a pochi interpreti. A breve un’intervista dove il nostro ci spiegherà nel dettaglio l’album e i progetti futuri.

https://www.musicalnews.com/2023/07/06/antonio-giorgio-imajica-epic-spirit-andromeda-relix-2023/ A surprising return, under the banner of sumptuous and regal metal. Today, Antonio Giorgio's music has few rivals in terms of epic magniloquence, and "Imajica" is a shining gem in the global metal scene. Born in Campania, specifically in the Irpinia area, Antonio Giorgio had fallen off the radar after the release of his 2017 debut, "Golden Metal," a true stylistic statement more than just a title, acclaimed by critics worldwide. This return only broadens and improves his expressive formula, always rooted in a heavy metal full of bombast, projected towards the shores of epic sounds, traceable to his declared inspirations: Dio-era Black Sabbath and Ronnie James Dio himself as a solo artist, Queensrÿche, and Fates Warning, not to mention a touch of elegance in the vein of Dokken's class metal and the dynamic thrust of a certain epic power from the Elegy and Stratovarius schools. But all these influences find a new vision in the lengthy tracks of "Imajica," played by top-notch musicians, assembled by the owner according to the needs of the individual song, featuring prestigious guests such as Ian Parry, Claudia Beltrame, and Mark Vanderbilt. If the lilting "Gothic Church," the first single, accompanied by a beautiful video, is perhaps the song that best defines the album's sound, the lengthy "Wisdom of Imagination" demonstrates Antonio Giorgio's courage. How many would have the audacity to open an album with a twelve-minute suite? "Silver Sanctum" and "Lucifer's Treasures" are songs imbued with epicness that lead us to the album's third act, "The Mystic Vision," where the album's titular suite is a center of gravity, captivating anyone who loved the luxurious metal of the '80s. The album closes with a credible cover of Queensryche's "I Will Remember," demonstrating Antonio Giorgio's growth as a singer, showcasing his warm and expressive timbre. Divided into three acts, "Imajica" is a journey into the glory years of epic and regal metal, where speed rarely takes over, but rather a medium tempo, a chivalrous and elegant pace, conveying a sense of pomp and power, displayed without violence, but always with pride. The musicians' work is extraordinary, with guitars taking center stage and truly balanced rhythms. The keyboards' interventions are also noteworthy, and the cascading choruses accompanying the lead vocals are significant. Like the previous album, “Imajica” (which in the digital version offers some bonus tracks) boasts a wonderful digipack packaging, with a booklet full of photos, lyrics and explanations, which increase the value of a great album that is a ray of light for all lovers of epic (golden) metal, a genre still in the hands of a few interpreters.

Antonio Giorgio is a young singer and composer from Campania. His passion for metal, epic themes, AOR, and progressive rock has led him to create a decidedly ambitious and emotionally charged debut album. This mix of genres isn't intimidating; it doesn't create a heavy, melodic affair, but rather a sonic journey that the artist himself calls "Golden Metal." Giorgio is accompanied on this album by musicians from the Modena area, including members of the bands Fogalord, Blue Rose, and Astral Domine. The beautifully crafted hardback artwork by graphic designer and musician Jahn Carlini of Great Master guides the buyer through the nature of the music they're about to experience. Lovers of Virgin Steele, Kamelot, Angra, and Royal Hunt are in for a treat. The package also includes a comprehensive booklet with lyrics written by Giorgio himself and sung in English. Twelve tracks of refined 90s and 00s Symphonic Power Metal with hints of Prog and much more await us, starting with the title track, "Golden Metal." The guitar is immediately prominent and the emphasis is already in the air, with a short intro to get us going right away. The chorus recalls that of historic metal bands relegated to the 80s and is a pleasure to sing along to. A guitar arpeggio begins "Lost & Lonely," an inevitable comparison with the more intimate Queensryche, thanks also to the use of Giorgio's voice. In "The Vision," the organ keyboards majestically approach the song, which develops through different points of metal and symphonic music. Just forty seconds of quiet in an intimate moment entitled "The Calling," which accompanies the listening experience to "The Voice Of the Prophet Beyond Heaven & Hell," make it clear that there's a lot going on, certainly one of the album's high points. Antonio Giorgio's most muscular form emerges on "Luminous Demons," though the melody is always treated with respect. Dreamy atmospheres appear at the beginning of "Keeper of Truth," before returning to the classic Metal Gold we've become accustomed to. "The Reaper" is another of my favorite tracks, more rhythmic and funereal, given the lyrical themes—as the title suggests. "Forever We Are One" follows, and as if in a movie, images of the epic and the dreamlike flow through our imaginations. Then comes the suite "Et In Arcadia Ego," divided into three parts. Here Giorgio showcases all his qualities as a composer, relegating the listener to mere spectator, when music speaks louder than words. This long sonic journey concludes with "Alone Again," a song verging on balladry. This album is definitely recommended for all fans of these themes, but also for those who are new to metal. There's also a digital version of the album called the "Golden Deluxe Edition," with the regular CD containing two bonus tracks, an entire bonus CD featuring 12 custom covers of metal giants like Black Sabbath, Queensryche, Dream Theater, Kamelot, Virgin Steele, Bruce Dickinson, and Conception, and two additional bonus tracks written by Antonio Giorgio, for a total of 28 tracks spanning nearly 160 minutes! What can I say? Let's get pumped up by this devastating energy! Massimo "Max"Salari - NonSoloProg (2017) Italian Version at: http://nonsoloprogrock.blogspot.it