Beginning the album is a song called “Asian Love”, which lasts nearly 15 minutes. As the title might suggest the song has got quite some Asian feel to it, especially the intro, which begins with a catchy tune, sounds very Asian. Mixed with the sounds a thunder and rain the song slowly blends into a prog-rock balled. The music perfectly mixes with the sound the three vocalists produce, and though I haven’t even reached halfway through the song, I know it’s going to be on of my favourites of the album already. Not five minutes after starting the music swiftly turns into a fast, shredding song with brilliant synth-work. And as swiftly as it started, the song turn into the prog-rock ballad again. Shortly after a good jazzy tone sets in, which adds amazing variety to the CD, and I’ve only had the first song yet. Though I could probably write a whole review just about the first song, I’d better get on with the rest of the CD. The second song “Break Down Soon”, sounds quite alike Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” at first, but turn into a near-rock jazzy tune. The chorus resembles the old classics in the vein of Queen a bit, but with its own “Ghiribizzi-touch”. “Fires of Hell” is next, which begins with a very dark ambience synth intro, before the piano and guitar enter after a few drum beats. When the vocals begin the tempo of the song is increased a bit, and again its a perfect mix of slow beautiful tunes, guitar work and vocal parts. It’s obvious not only the music has received its fair share of attention, but the lyrics have too. They fit perfect to the atmosphere created by the songs. “Open you eyes, look up to the sky” is the first sentence of the next song “Farewell to God”, and that’s surely what the song makes you want to do. It’s filled with great atmospheric aspects and versatility I have rarely seen. Halfway through the song it speeds up and you are served with a fine piece of alternative rock.

Fifth up is “The Light”, which is quite up-tempo compared to the rest of the CD, which is welcomed by me with open arms. The vocalists prove once again they have what it takes to sing at different tempo’s and pitches. “Remember Paris” is up next, and though I’m halfway through the songs, I still have what feels like an entire CD to go. “Remember Paris” combines perfect melodies with guitar solos and great vocal parts. And as I already stated on multiple occasions, it just adds more and more versatility to the album as I move on. “Time” is also one of my favourite song of the album, though it is hard to actually pick one. This song’s lyrics are just amazing and the whole atmosphere of this song is just great. The guitar parts are once again very well done, and the piano is especially worth mentioning in this song. The second over-ten-minutes song is “Valleys Of Gold – Chapter 1 (ft. The Waltz Of Love)” which begins with a series of blasting drums, followed by heavy guitar melodies. A few tingling melodies in the background, more keyboard melodies in the foreground, and hi-hats keeping the rhythm is what interludes the first verse. A perfect mix between heavier parts and slower parts is what explains this song best. With “Don’t Fear the Unknown” I’m nearing the end of this album, but surely the last two songs have something new to add too this marvellous piece of work.

If I were to explain every single detail on this album it would probably cost me a few weeks to note it all down. Ghiribizzi’s album “Pan’ta Rhei” is a great work of music, which combines a thousand different aspects of music into a 75-minute album. Fans of progressive rock, progressive metal, or anyone who’s up for something new should give this band a try, I’m sure you wont be disappointed.

written by Roy Boeren

Playing time: 75.06