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Progenesi - Ulisse L'Alfiere Nero. 2013 Raffinerie Musicali
And now back to the extraordinary 2013 Italian progressive rock renaissance.
Progenesi are a traditional guitar, keyboards (analog of course), bass, and drums quartet with guests on violin and cello. Progenesi took the unusual step, for an Italian band that is, to go without vocals. There are 6 tracks in all, averaging about 8 minutes each. Perhaps the most surprising aspect of this is that the band doesn't rely on loose jams or heavy repetition in order to achieve the extended length. Nor is it "overly composed" such as the Avant Prog bands would have it. And there's not even a hint that this is jazz rock fusion. No, this is just good old fashioned mid 1970s instrumental symphonic rock - and not something you hear much these days. Or in those days to be honest. Progenesi seem to have done a good job of absorbing the influences as the 1970s bands did, rather than being influenced by the 70s end product. One aspect of Progenesi that I really appreciate is their willingness to break into a good old fashioned blues rock jam, with impassioned leads and chunky organ (but never overstaying their welcome). Very few bands do that now, and usually they come from the stoner metal crowd, which has a different musical purpose. So now I have to come up with a comparison don't I? (Thinking, thinking). OK, here goes: Some Clearlight Symphony, classic ELP, a dash of Finch, King Crimson, Cherry Five (minus the vocals of course), PFM, Crucis, and SFF/Spektakel. How's that - did that help? Yea, probably not. For a modern comparison, I think SoulenginE is operating in similar territory, though they are much more geared towards Genesis than Progenesi (ironic given the name isn't it?).
This album comes highly recommend. I hope we hear more from them soon!
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