In This Life

Phenomenal recording. You can't define it as "rock", or fusion, or anything else.

For those of you who aren't familiar with Virgil Donati he is one of the most amazing innovative drummers around. Period. His ability to play multiple time signatures simultaneously is rivaled by none that I've ever heard. I discovered him while listening to Steve Walsh's Glossolalia album and then rediscovered him playing with Derek Sherinian on some of his solo works and also with Planet X. I've been a devout fan ever since. This dude is freaking SICK!On this record he really stretches the limits of my musical sensibilities which by most standards is miles beyond insane to begin with and has of course surrounded himself with the talent to pull off these maneuvers with seamless ease. It is simply mind blowing that someone can conceptualize & compose this kind of stuff let alone perform it to this degree. The compositions on this album are extremely complex and never really lets the listener get too comfortable with the deep grooves before the piece moves to the next tantalizing yet tension filled musical theme. This album is truly a prog-heads dream! After a few times through it all starts to make more musical sense and the ideas start to take on some relative familiarity. So as a colossal prog head I highly recommend this album to all the like minded freaks out there looking for more brain candy. If you think this might be a bit too radical of a place to start perhaps Planet X's Quantum would be a more musically friendly introduction to the world of the brilliant "Thunder from Down Under" Mr Donati.

Like many other people, I first became familiar with Virgil Donati via Derek Sherinian's Planet X. At first, I was skeptical because he seemed overly bombastic, but over the years I have become a big fan of Donati's work. He seems to get better with each passing year.What's interesting to me about this album is that it seems to offer a look into Donati's contribution to Planet X. This is NOT a Planet X album, but listening to it will give you a good sense of what Donati brings to the table. His compositional style is drum-centric in a way that some other famous drummer/composers are not. Contrast Donati's writing style to, say, Phil Collins, who seems to favor a more layered style, starting with simplicity and then adding layers.No, Donati does not start with simplicity. He starts with beauty. For some pieces, that means complexity; for others, it does not. Then the other players add their interaction. The result is masterful. It's a wonderful combination of Planet-X-style heat and Carl-Verheyen-ish coolness, of Steve-Vai-esque virtuosity and Allan-Holdsworth-like restraint. (Yes, I did just call Allan Holdsworth restrained. Adjust your interpretation of this review accordingly.)While the album doesn't necessarily tread new ground, it does offer a refreshing take on the jazz-fusion thing. Can music be smooth and jagged at the same time? Can it calm you and excite you in the very same breath? Somehow, "In This Life" finds a way. Or, at least, it does for me.

No doubt about this man's talent, but this can be a labored listen. I'm a big prog fan and this fits the bill in some places. Good for long car rides as it should be taken down as a whole.

Virge, Virge, Virge. I have your Serious Young Insects album, which should be more easily available from stores, not unlike this one - I had to purchase it from UK Amazon! - blimey, the freight cost almost the same as the album. Ive also got all Planet X and have been to one of your drum clinics in Canberra - I couldn't get over the 3 hi hat thing. Love your work. I also saw your audition for DT and didn't you give Master Rudass a lesson. Anyway, this album is superb, probably more complex then SYI and I love when it goes to the second half of the album with the classical segued tracks. Ive now listened to the album about 10 times since opening it - that was about 3 days ago. Great grooves and I like the new bass player - he syncs with you as well as his contrapuntal. Awesome work - keep recording - you are a genius.

While I am a guitar player and not drummer; I certainly listen to a appreciate virtuoso drummers. I can not think of any drummer who is more technically gifted and outside-the-box than Virgil Donati. It's impossible to find the 1 in many sections of this album, and I can't get enough of it. What Virgil is doing is completely unique.Many of the songs on this album are great, and like someone else said it makes Dream Theater sound like The Jonas Brothers. Some of my favorites are "Rhythm Zero", "In This Life", "Red Air", "Voice of Reason", and "The Empire". This album has a lot of great memorable and creative keyboard, guitar, and bass solos.Check out this album, and support Virgil!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This is a must have collection of insane, intense, music for drummers and fans of instrumental rock or fusion. Virgil Donati pounds the skins like a monster, he never seems to repeat a groove twice, and somehow it all works. All the songs and the guest musicians are killer, the riffs and tempo changes come and go while you shake your head in disbelief of what you actually heard, so you play the song again and sure enough, yep they did that! I could gush on and on about this release but the bottom line is this is a tremendous album and I only hope there is more. Thanks Virgil.

This is hands down one of the best albums I have ever heard from the Fusion Genre! This album is so advanced and has such technically brilliant playing that it almost defies description! The compositions are fantastic and do not suffer due to their technicality! Virgil absolutely hit it outta the park with this one! I'm kicking myself in the ass now for not going and seeing him last fall when he came to Ohio and played for a $20.00 cover charge! My goodness!

様々なゲストプレイヤーが参加していますが、ドナティの辣腕が至る所に発揮されています。これを聴くと、Dream TheaterにはドナティはTooMuchだった事が分かると思います！

I was not aware of his talent and quite long career. Yet he has been around since many years contributing to recordings of great musicians like Scott Henderson, Allan Holdsworth or Eric Norlander. By accident I came across the music of Planet X and it was a new discovery for me - metal jazz fusion. I followed a bit who plays there and Virgil Donati popped out with his new CD. I bought it right away. He is not only a fantastic drummer, he is a good composer. "In This Life" he proves it. Great achievement for Donati and I wait for his next effort.

Ho aspettato ad acquistarlo pensando che non potesse essereal livello di altre sue registrazioni.Niente di piu' sbagliato .... GRANDISSIMO ALBUM !!!!

Virgil Donati.Ein begnadeter Trommler.Sehr spezielles drumming.Ist es seine erste reine Soloscheibe?Ich weiß es garnicht.Egal.Die CD muste ich haben.Ist sehr jazzrock/progrock orientiert.Mit seinem speziellen Beats.Ich will nicht viel schreiben.Ich finde das Teil sehr gut.Für mich sind es tolle Songs mit tollen melodien vertrackte Rythmen.Hört einfach mal rein.

My post on his Facebook page :With this life , classical viewing of the inner self , Paradise Lost ?No, Paradise found , this CD in depth music for musicianscan we improve our selves in creativity , listening to this wonderful CD, I have to say yes . Play it as loud as possibleDo hope for an concert in the Netherlands .Most kindest regards .Vind ik leuk · · 23 februari om 12:42