Milanese quintet releases their third album, following their 2017 debut “Alight” and “Nautilus” which came two years later, both well received. The band continues to feature vocalist Francesco Lovari (whose English is as great as his lung capacity) , Alessandro Palmisano handling all matters guitar, Niccolò Gallani shuffling his keyboard arsenal while the family tandem of Loris Bersan on bass duties and Eric Bersan doing the drums and percussion chores. Nine years and no line-up changes, lovely move!
“Wasted Potential” is a clever opening title that has zero bearing on the music proposed here, introducing the blustering keys, the thrilling voice, the rhythmic duo in full force and a shrugging guitar shroud, with less than 5 minutes, preciously condensed and intense. This is moder RPI, firmly ensconced in the schizoid 21st century, freshly brash and slash. A tremendous sizzler.
Following that slap in the face with a sense of humour-laden “Please Be Gentle” is a proof positive that no one does drama better than our Italian Fratelli! Once again, the savvy interplay shows a team spirit that can only be admired (since the ‘squadra’ sucks lately, this is all one can have!), Gallani’s moaning mellotron forging massive choral swoops, the bass and guitar smashing harshly and the percussive thuds very remote from tender facility. 2 shots, 2 goals, time for an epic!
The 11 and a half minute long “The Case of the Silent Queen” evokes pastoral emanations of acoustic splendour (early Genesis and Anthony Phillips), the delicate arrangement increasing in intensity at a ‘gentle’ pace, the exuberant piano and drum cooperation making this a most flavoursome affair, the symphonics kicking in with romantic glee, as the mellotron keeps on glowing. The transitional variations are subtle, keeping the emotional impact well entrenched between the ears, dabbling bits of choir and thrashing cymbals awakening the soul. Suddenly, the not-too silent explosion arrives, led by an obsessive synthesizer loop, hushed vocal effects, and occasional axe-driven slashes that thunder without remorse. With all cylinders revving mightily, the lister’s pulse cannot help racing forward into another realm of consciousness, no hint of filler or dross, just straight on musical theater for the demanding prog fan. Absolute master class demonstration.
A little well-deserved respite is called for, after such a harrowing experience. “We Need to Talk” is exactly that, an effortless human grievance, we all have endured too many times. Heartbreak, heartache, loss, separation, distance, fate, called it what you will. The lyrics take their warranted place , upfront and center, as if “it was meant to be”. A stunning vocal chorale, Palmisano shining on acoustic, Gallani burning on his keys, the Bersans keeping it all tightly wrapped in bliss.
“Caged” is the other longer track, and as the title suggests , it’s a heavily claustrophobic musical enclosure, the hyper piano possessed throughout, Lovari singing like an incarcerated victim of circumstance, no access to a phone or a ticket to freedom. We are stuck in limbo, and all alone. The screeching guitar solo secretes the angst for the longing of escape, the bass desperately searching for a way to open the locks, leading to the outside. When those damned mellotrons blow the roof off the penitentiary , the raging guitars in full collusion, the deed is done. Free at last.
Maintaining the focus on the human condition, “The Day We Never Met” offers a jazzier vibe, weighed down by brooding e-piano and synth evolutions, a lovely contrast between melody and dissonance, but within a completely different style compared to the rest of the album. You may have guessed by now, and yes, the sturdy mellotron once again blows into the midst with thunderous resilience. Extraordinarily seductive.
The title track puts this exceptional album to rest, a well-deserved siesta after a completely entertaining performance. As a fitting finale, the piece sort of encompasses the underlying thrill of the entire album, strengthening the beliefs in the talent presented here.
Its everything one may want from modern day progressive rock. Please continue, and never get out of you strident grotto.
4.5 Anxious fibs