You get the impression that former Dream Theater front man Charlie Dominici… Read Full Bio ↴You get the impression that former Dream Theater front man Charlie Dominici used the past 16 years since he left the America’s elite prog-metal act, with whom he recorded their debut release When Dream And Day Unite in 1989, exclusively to save his strength for a truly monumental work. Now he is about to release the third and final part of his 03 trilogy, proving emphatically that he still hasn’t run out of important things to say, in terms of both his music and his lyrics. Dominici refers to his music as “Melodic Progressive Metal ”, forging an arch with his compositions from ultra-tough riff monsters through atmospheric soundscapes to quiet, almost intimate moments.

This makes part 3 of his trilogy the culmination and pinnacle of a series of musical offerings which began in 2005 with the arrival of the purely acoustic Part 1 and was continued impressively in 2006 with the electric (and electrifying) Part 2. “This is not a continuation of part 2,” Dominici points out unequivocally. “It is the final part of three. Musically, it is obviously different from part 1, because part 1 was all acoustic and only performed by myself. Parts 2 and 3 are similar to each other musically in that they are both prog metal with a full band. Lyrically, part 3 is totally different from the other two parts because the story is finally concluded and much of the mysteries presented throughout the first two parts are finally made clear. Part 3 is the grand finale, both lyrically and musically.”

A truly furious finale, in which Dominici was supported by his technically outstanding band, which continues to consist of Brian Maillard (guitar), Yan Maillard (drums), Americo Rigoldi (keyboards) and Riccardo Atzeni (bass). An almost one-hour extravaganza of long instrumental parts, virtuoso solo passages and haunting vocals which repeatedly send shivers down the listener’s spine. Dominici reacts emphatically to the question whether the 03 Trilogy in general and the finale in particular have a specific moral, a message for their audience: “There is nothing but morals, lessons and messages. That’s the whole point of the story. You can call it ‘The DOMINICI Code’ if you like.”

Following the impressive chapters of the two predecessor albums, Dominici decided to try a new approach for the final part of his socially critical story. “Part 3 was done differently than both other parts. I decided I wanted to try something new and it worked as well as I had hoped it would. I waited to write a single word until I began writing the music with the band. The lyrics for Part 3 were not written, they were ‘grown’ like a garden. I separated eight blank word files and wrote the synopsis for each song at the top. I then went to each file as we were completing the music and completed the lyrics. I did it this way so the story had the best chance of being fully completed in the limited amount of time a CD can provide.”

This approach has produced some impressive results. Dominici has surpassed himself again, coming up with an awesome recording. This is certainly not what you’d call superficial background music! However, Dominici’s prognosis of his future recordings makes clear just how much energy and concentration this extremely demanding project has cost him. His answer to the question whether he is planning to tackle a similar project in the near future leaves little doubt: “Never again! I will never do another concept album as long as I live. This was the most difficult music and concept to complete although it was very rewarding and satisfying as an artist. Maybe I’m just a wimp, but I kind of feel the same way I feel about the recent loss of my beloved cat, ‘Tigger’. I loved the experience of knowing her, but I don’t think I would want to subject myself to this kind of pain again. No more cats, no more concept albums!”

Bio by: Matthias Mineur for "Inside Out Music, 2008

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Line-up:

Charlie Dominici - vocals
Brian Maillard - guitar
Yan Maillard - drums
Americo Rigoldi - keyboards
Erik Atzeni - bass

Check out the official DOMINICI website and forums at http://www.dominici.com!

Greed the evil seed
Dominici Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

When left to your devices
Allowed to plant your seeds
The only fruits you harvest
Are ones that serve your needs
Now there’s new crusade
And what fuels this great unrest is

Greed!

Greed!
I really don’t know how
You can’t see that now there’s no
Need… for greed…
Ditch the fancy car
Hitch your wagon to my star and
You’ll be freed

We tried to live in harmony
To co-exist in peace
Religion and economy
Strange bedfellows are these
Ambitions, plans and purposes
Disguised as basic need
They are not virtues after all
They are the evil seed…of

Greed!
I really don’t know how
You can’t see that now there’s no
Need… for greed…
Ditch the fancy car
Hitch your wagon to my star and
You’ll be freed...

According to one’s power
According to his need
Everyone would prosper but for greed
The power and the riches
All bought with genocide
Can’t buy a place to hide from your

Greed!
Greed!
I really don’t know how
You can’t see that now there’s no
Need… for greed…
Ditch those fancy cars
Hitch your wagons to my star
And you’ll be freed
The evil seed was planted
So many years ago
It’s not too late to save ourselves
We will reap what we sow
The ones who say there is no hope
Who plan this great demise
Might see a different picture
If we learn to compromise
I stand now at the crossroads
A world of lives at stake
So many souls depend on
This choice that I must make
Should I be a good soldier
And do this deadly deed
Or can I try to alter
The nature of the seed

Greed!
Greed!

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Dominici's "Greed" speak to the detrimental effects of greed both on an individual level and in society as a whole. The song addresses the insatiable desire for material possessions and power, which often leads individuals to exploit and manipulate others for their own gain. The first verse paints a bleak picture of the consequences of allowing greed to run rampant, suggesting that it only serves the needs of the individual and not the greater good. The chorus, repeated throughout the song, urges listeners to abandon their greedy ways and embrace a more selfless lifestyle. The second verse delves deeper into the societal implications of greed, highlighting the ways in which it can be disguised as necessity or even virtue. The bridge offers a call for action, reminding the listener that the choice to combat greed is important and can have far-reaching impacts.

Overall, the song is a powerful meditation on the dangers of greed and a plea for individuals to recognize its negative effects.

Line by Line Meaning

When left to your devices
When you are allowed to work or act independently

Allowed to plant your seeds
Given the opportunity to create or bring forth something

The only fruits you harvest
The only things you gain or benefit from

Are ones that serve your needs
Are things that benefit you and you alone

Now there’s new crusade
Now there is a new effort or cause

And what fuels this great unrest is
And what causes this widespread dissatisfaction is

Greed!
The overwhelming desire for wealth, power, or material possessions

I really don’t know how
I cannot understand

You can’t see that now there’s no
You do not realize that there is no longer any

Need… for greed…
Requirement or necessity for excessive materialism or self-centeredness

Ditch the fancy car
Get rid of the luxurious or unnecessary possessions

Hitch your wagon to my star and
Attach yourself to my beliefs or aspirations and

You’ll be freed
You will liberate yourself from the bonds of greed

We tried to live in harmony
We attempted to coexist in a peaceful manner

To co-exist in peace
To live together in a state of tranquility

Religion and economy
Beliefs and financial systems

Strange bedfellows are these
They are unlikely allies or partners

Ambitions, plans and purposes
Desires, intentions, and objectives

Disguised as basic need
Presented as fundamental necessities

They are not virtues after all
They are not morally good qualities

They are the evil seed…of
They are the source or root of the malevolent influence of

According to one’s power
Based on an individual's authority or control

According to his need
Based on an individual's requirements or necessities

Everyone would prosper but for greed
Every person would succeed or flourish if not for the excessive desire for wealth, power, or material possessions

The power and the riches
The authority and the wealth

All bought with genocide
Acquired through the destruction of life

Can’t buy a place to hide from your
Cannot provide a sanctuary from your overwhelming desire for power and wealth

The evil seed was planted
The negative influence was established

So many years ago
Many years in the past

It’s not too late to save ourselves
We still have the opportunity to rescue ourselves

We will reap what we sow
We will receive the consequences of our actions

The ones who say there is no hope
The people who believe there is no possibility for improvement

Who plan this great demise
Those who scheme or plot for destruction

Might see a different picture
Might have a different understanding or perception

If we learn to compromise
If we come to an agreement by making concessions

I stand now at the crossroads
I am at a crucial moment of decision-making