Il Ballo delle Castagne, Italy ***Inactive***

Neo Italian prog; Krautrock styled

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Latest: Live Studio (2015)

There was talk of a studio album on this date, but it seems to have fizzled.

Kalachakra (2011)

I'm always on the lookout for modern bands who incorporate psychedelic influences into their progressive rock, and it was clear by the few reviews I saw, plus my sampling of their first album a few months ago, that Ballo delle Castagne are one such band. One only has to look at their label name to pick out a distinct Krautrock predilection. 

Given the sitar, echoed acid guitar and overall trippy effects, perhaps it's surprising that Ballo delle Castagne also possess an early 80s maudlin New Wave sound, especially evident in the vocal styling presented. In some ways, I'm hearing that most misunderstood debut album by the Italian group Runaway Totem (Trimegisto). Ballo delle Castagne's second album, for me at least, improves significantly as it progresses on - losing some of the 80's song narrative, while bringing forth their 1970s Krautrock influences. The moody and atmospheric 'La Foresta dei Suicidi' is my pick for best track.

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Interesting how 13 years can change a perspective. As many albums have lost their space in the collection, an effort like Kalachakra sounds more fresh to my ears now than (apparently) then. The group describe themselves as a mix of hard rock, progressive, and New Wave. The latter was something I wasn't into so much when I heard this. Now I even hear an obscure genre like Italo-Disco which I had no clue about until the last couple of months (think Kraftwerk). One can hear similarities to fellow Italians Il Segno del Comando, another band that seemed to enjoy New Wave, especially the more gothic side of the house. The twist here is Ballo delle Castagne's fondness for early 70s Krautrock. My favorite track remains 'La Foresta dei Suicidi' which recalls Popol Vuh, a band that Ballo delle Castagne clearly has a fondness for. I can't think of another album like this in my collection. That gets you a +1.

---4/29/11; 9/23/24

4/29/11 (new entry)