Zio – Flower Torania
Zio is a new collaboration, consisting of some all-star progressive artists and musicians. Flower Torania, was the dream concept of Jimmy Pallagrosi, who plays drums and is the producer of the album. Accompanying him on this excellent, Sci-fi, fantasy, musical, adventure are: Marc Fascia, on guitar; Olivier Castan, on keyboards; and Lzi Hayes, on bass, tracks, (2,3,5,8, & 10). Jimmy Pallagrosi also wrote the story and lyrics for Flower Torania.
Additional stars include: Hayley Griffiths, vocalist from Karnataka, as character Torania; Joe Payne, vocalist from The Enid, as the character Alan; Heather Findlay, vocalist for Mostly Autumn and Mantra Vega, as character Belbi; Franck Carducci, vocals as character Nato; Richard Henshall, lead guitarist of Haken, on track, (7); Alex Lofoco, on bass for tracks, (6 & 7); Cagri Tozluoglu, from Karnataka, providing additional orchestration on tracks, (6, 8, & 11); and Alphonse Alfano, on accordion for track, (11).
Flower Torania, was mixed by Marco Casaluce. Illustrations were created by Oliver Castan. And the grand artwork was created by Crystal Spotlight, (Miles Skarin).
Flower Torania, by Zio is an awesome surprise that was released in January 25, 2020. It is full of a good mix of Arjen Lucassen – like character play and sci-fi musicianship, mixed with Neo prog sounds. The musicians do not attempt to compete in the metal playground Lucassen uses, they instead, choose video game like stories and characters. Animated, rather than historical/futuristic narratives.
The music is intense and hyper active. I love all of the keyboards, synthesizers and guitars. The bass and drums are great. The storyline is less exciting for me, but I am sure I am of the minority. The music is very dynamic and original.
The vocals on the other
hand are excellent. All three vocalists, Hayley
Griffiths, Heather Findlay, and Joe
Payne are three of my favorite singers in prog. The three do a wonderful job of
bringing their characters alive. They bring you into the story emotionally
through their emotional connection of their voices and story. Their performances
are rich and deep with immersion. This is a very, vocals – driven album, with
the story commanding the stage as the music plays background support, most of
the way.
The best songs on the album for me are “X-Ray”, “Gold and Power”, “Jupiter”, “Erwin’s Opera”, the keyboard medley on “Inner City Shorroma” is really intense, “Ma Petite Histoire”, and the closing title track, “Flower Torania”.
This was a wonderful adventure full of fantastic music and great singing. One of the better productions of 2020 already. Sit back and put on some headphones and enjoy hearing all these all-stars at their best, tell a story of rich golden wonder.
Tracklist:
1. Ride Along (2:19)
2. X-Ray (6:23)
3. Wings Inside (3:23)
4. Gold and Power (2:35)
5. Straight Up from Underneath (7:04)
6. Jupiter (7:04)
7. Erwin’s Opera (6:49)
8. Inner City Shorroma (7:51)
9. Ma Petite Histoire (1:29)
10. Interstellar List (5:52)
11. Flower Torania (2:06)
https://www.ziosite.com/flower-torania