Music Style Progressive Rock

Musical Influences Pink Floyd, Marillion, Rush, Bon Jovi, Michael Card

Similar Artists Pink Floyd, Marillion, Michael Card

Instruments Acoustic and Electric Guitars, Bass, Keyboards, Drums, Strings, Percussion

Albums Sleepless Nights

Press Reviews 'Sleepless Nights' is a concept album from Alfiero, and is also his baptism of fire to the local music scene. This is a soul-searching project - a very personal and introspective experience. Thus, this could not have been but a solo album.So what is Sleepless Nights all about? The album deals with some of the most disturbing experiences a person has to face in his life - the breaking up of a relationship; a friend who overnight is no longer amongst us. This from the eyes of someone still very young. Alfiero lets us into his own personal space, and faces up to his anguish most openly. And just because these very intimate moments are put to us without any masks on, we can perceive nothing but the sad truths.In all fairness, the music itself helps to mellow the tone, and is the perfect background to guide us through this transition. One has to point out that both music and lyrics are by Alfiero. Alfiero's musical influences are very much evident in his compositions - Pink Floyd, Marillion, Queensryche's 'Operation Mindcrime', and Bon Jovi to mention a few. The music however, is no rip-off. Alfiero blends his influences well, but the final product is very much his own. All songs are very much acoustic-based, and beneath the arrangements and orchestrations, some of which get very complex as in 'The Dream', the music takes second stage to Alfiero's voice, the instrument of his emotion.All this in no way undermines the song-writing, which is of a very high standard. The music itself is flowing and pleasant to listen to, and in this sense Alfiero is helped out by some of the best talents this island has to offer. Some names are household, as in the case of Chris Scicluna (Getting Closer, Krave), Mark Attard (Bigfoot, William Mangion), Colin Zammit Lupi, Ivan Scicluna (Avatar), and Aidan Zammit Lupi ex-Avatar, but who has also played the club circuit and recorded in Italy. But to his merit, Alfiero has also brought to light some very valid but as yet unknown musicians - Kevin Vella, David Grech, Claude Caruana and Eric Santucci. Undoubtedly, they have enhanced this project with their very distinct styles; however, the overall product remains coherent, the concept untainted.It is not really possible to listen to this album by playing the tracks randomly - that would be putting them out of context. It is, after all, a journey of time. The departure, the instrumental 'No Sun at the Horizon', points towards a bleak future. From the bad times and turmoil of Dreadful Night to the bitter-sweet Heartaches, the album almost comes to a standstill in 'Tracing the Pain'. Following the anguish of 'Lord Explain', Alfiero temporarily looks back to the past in 'Memory Touch'. From the complex arrangements of 'The Dream', to the harsh 'Why', the exorcism is almost over by the time we reach 'Hard Lines'. And after all the upheavals, the album significantly ends on a positive note. The music on the title-track betrays a calmer state of mind; the reason - faith. Faith is the last track on the album. Its is also the underlying force within the album, ever-present, even when Alfiero himself might not always be aware of it, stronger than all the overwhelming forces which threaten to overcome him along the way.'Heartaches' is the stand-out track on this album, and literally leaves you with bumps of gooseflesh. The lingering melody is complemented by some beautiful keyboard arrangements and a brilliant guitar solo. 'Lord Explain', the first single, takes on an additional beauty within the album itself. 'The Dream' is a very interesting track and will grow on you with every listen. And what can one say about the highly atmospheric 'Hard Lines'? Alfiero gets down to showing us that he can also deliver on his bass guitar. Aidan Zammit Lupi's keyboard solo is full of emotion, while Eric Santucci's guitar solo is something to look out for. Backing vocals are used effectively, in various tracks, reaching a high point in 'Memory Touch'. The strongest trademark throughout, however, remains Alfiero's vocals. The hard work in this area is very much in evidence, the final result praiseworthy.

Location Birkirkara, - - Malta

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