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