Asymmetric Universe – A Memory of What Came After (Inside Out Music).
This was something completely new to me: the debut album from Asymmetric Universe, A Memory of What Came After.
Released on Inside Out Music, part of the Sony family, this is an instrumental album that lives somewhere between progressive metal and jazz fusion—a thrilling and at times jaw-dropping combination. The vinyl edition is a thing of beauty too: a translucent smoky blue pressing, wonderfully presented as we’ve come to expect from Inside Out.
The Band and Guests
Asymmetric Universe are the duo of:
Federico Vese – guitars, vocals, synthesizers, drums, wind arrangements
Nicolo Vese – bass, piano, synthesizers, strings, wind arrangements
They’re joined by an array of guest musicians, including:
Gabriele Bullita – drums
Simone Garino – saxophones
Cesare Mecca – trumpets
Raul Roa – violins, viola
Mitja Liboni – cello
Moises Pirela – viola
Eugenio Catale – cello
There are also notable contributions from Richard Henshall (Haken) on guitar and Jared Yee (Sungazer) on saxophone.
What Does It Sound Like?
Describing this album is tricky because it moves so fluidly between genres. Think Return to Forever colliding head-on with Dream Theater—but without vocals. Imagine the Mahavishnu Orchestra if they’d taken a detour through heavy metal.
The music shifts constantly: one moment it’s melodic jazz piano, the next it’s industrial-strength progressive metal riffage. The musicianship is astonishing. Tracks can be gentle, ambient, and haunting, then explode into slap bass funk riffs, lightning-fast guitar solos, or string quartet passages overlaid with crunching metal guitars.
It’s like being on a rollercoaster—sometimes aggressive, sometimes lyrical, but always compelling.
My Impressions
I love jazz fusion, and all the elements that drew me to that genre in the first place are here. What makes A Memory of What Came After stand out is that it’s not just “music for musos.” It’s accessible, melodic, and full of earworm motifs that reveal themselves more with each listen.
Even Sue, who was sitting with me when I first played it—usually ready to give me the look when something too “out there” comes on—turned to me and said: “Wow, this is good. Who is this?” That’s a solid endorsement.
This is music that doesn’t just wash over you; it pulls you in. The interplay between instruments feels like they’re having conversations, telling stories. It’s alive, unpredictable, and bursting with ideas.
By the end of side two, I found myself both exhilarated and reflective. Whether it’s the furious stop/start riffs locked perfectly between bass and drums, the soaring strings, or the delicate piano sections, the album constantly surprises.
If you’re a fan of progressive metal, jazz fusion, or just music that challenges and excites in equal measure, this is one you should hear. For me, it’s a clear 10/10.
Track Highlights
Reaction Overthrow – with saxophone and strings weaving brilliantly into the heavy sections
Recovery – a more reflective, almost ambient piece
Apaco – where the band push everything to the limit
Final Thoughts
Instrumental albums can sometimes fade into the background for me—but not this one. This is a debut of rare power and invention. If you’re open to thrash jazz (a term I jotted down while listening!) or simply want to hear something fresh that fuses classic fusion with modern prog-metal intensity, this is a must.
A Memory of What Came After is available now on CD and vinyl via Inside Out Music.
Have you heard this yet? Let me know your thoughts in the comments—are you going vinyl, CD, or streaming first?
Phil Aston | Now Spinning Magazine
