Prometheo, Italy

Retro Italian prog

Facebook

Bandcamp

Latest album: Stupor Mundi Vol. 1 (2023) 

---notes

D'un Fuoco Rapito, d'un Giovane Uomo, d'un Amore Insensato (2019)

Of a Kidnapped Fire, Of a Young Man, Of a Senseless Love (of course I looked it up...) is the debut album from Prometheo, a decidedly retro band from Italy. Singing in the native tongue while using vintage equipment, the band clearly studied the masters before going into the recording session. While their heart is clearly in the right place, the music is a bit stilted and flat. Some of that is the production and some is the instrument tones. I've seen references to legends such as Museo Rosenbach and Biglietto per L'Inferno, but both are far more kinetic than this album. Perhaps it's too well studied. All the same, a fine debut by a group who shows immense potential.

6/29/23 (new entry)

Anno Mundi, Italy

Progressive rock; Hard rock; Doom

YouTube

Latest release: Land of Legends (2019)

Land of Legends (2019)

Land of Legends is the 3rd release from Anno Mundi, a 5 piece group who play a myriad of prog, hard rock, and metal styles. A very fascinating album, pigeonholing it is a hopeless task. Anno Mundi are frequently compared to Ozzy and Black Sabbath, but on Land of Legends, that influence is only apparent on the closer. It could be argued their songcraft is too modern to capture the true mood of the original Sabbath.

The opener is the only "normal" metal track here and has elements of Dream Theater and Candlemass. Not a representative offering, though in context with the rest, maybe it is. Things get very interesting on 'Hyperborea'. Violins, acoustic guitar, analog synthesizers, and experimental voices all then lead to an Iron Maiden like NWOBHM styled epic. This is followed by a short acoustic ballad. The 9 and a half minute 'Hyperway to Knowhere' (what?) follows and is arguably the best song on the album. Starts off in a proggy experimental way with plenty of acoustic guitar. Then a really cool hard rock break hits strong with echoed electric piano and heavy guitars. Excellent guitar solos as well. All this leads to the closer: 5) 'Female Revenge', now there's a title to ponder! We're back to metal, but it's of the rawer early 80s quality (think NWOBHM). Now we finally get some Black Sabbath riffs but with a modern touch in the vocal department. Always enjoy the Hammond organ and piano being interjected in tracks such as these. Really bizarre mix of ideas here.

This is one of those albums that has plenty of growth potential. Non-linear and creative. 

6/28/23 (new entry)

Seldon, Italy

Proggy AOR

Facebook

Bandcamp

Latest album: Per Quale Sentiero (2018)

---UTR notes

Per Quale Sentiero (2018)

Seldon on Per Quale Sentiero offer up a contemporary and sophisticated styled neo-Italian prog rock with AOR tendencies. Elements of jazz fusion and early 80s Rush are apparent.

6/24/23 (new entry)

Polyfeen, Denmark

Retro prog

Facebook

Bandcamp

Latest release: Den Sidste Vilde (2020)

---UMR notes

Den Sidste Vilde (2020)

Polyfeen are one of those bands from the early 70s that didn't manage to record anything in their era. Many years later a 1972 archival recording surfaced that demonstrated a group with talent but the recording quality was dodgy and not necessarily a pleasant experience. This event though lead to the band reforming with a couple of original members and they have since issued two albums. Den Sidste Vilde is their latest. We see this career trajectory quite a bit in Italy, to mixed results. Polyfeen are one of the better ones to have made a comeback such as this.

The overtly psychedelic cover indicates this will likely be a space rock or stoner metal type album. Fortunately it is not either but rather a mix of retro psych and late 70s styled progressive rock. The second track is a cool little instrumental that could have been done by a band like Saga in their heyday. Track 3 sounds like the most psychedelic aspects of the Beatles. Tracks 1 and the last 3 are their retro prog numbers. It's on these that the band shine the best, especially the closer, arguably the album's high water mark. This one took a couple of listens to soak in, as I thought it might be too similar to other modern groups. But there's some uncommon depth here in the songwriting that makes it a keeper.

6/28/23 (new entry)

Witchwood, Italy

Hard rock; Progressive rock

Facebook

Bandcamp

Latest release: Before the Winter (2020)

A long ago recommendation from my good friend Spacefreak. I hope to check them out at some point.

6/23/23 (new entry)

Arkitekture, South Korea

Retro prog; Avant prog

Bandcamp

Latest release: Rationalis Impetus (2022)

Haven't heard yet, but reviews are promising with comparisons to Anglagard meets Art Zoyd. Apparently the group was previously known as Superstring, who have 3 albums to their credit (haven't heard them either).

6/21/23 (new entry)

Logos, Italy

Italian Prog

Facebook

Soundcloud

Latest release: Sadako e le Mille Gru di Carta (2020)

---UMR notes

L'Enigma della Vita (2014)

Logos are a seasoned band from the northern Italian town of Verona, who bring forth an intriguing mix of progressive rock styles from the past. Those coming to this album hoping for a 70's styled sound, however, will most certainly leave disappointed. Even the supposed "vintage" sounds of the mellotron and organ are emulated, or certainly sound that way.

None of which deters this writer in the slightest. Logos seem more like a band of the 90s, that next generation of exciting Italian groups that blended the classics with a more modern sound. From a composition perspective, Logos certainly do look back further to the golden age.

The first impression you'll hear is one of mid 70's Pink Floyd, that peculiar deliberate and methodical songcraft, mixed with heavy spatial atmospheres. It isn't until 'In Fuga', that Logos demonstrate their Italian heritage (beyond the language of course). And the followup track 'Alla fine dell'ultimo capitolo' is where it becomes apparent that Logos came of age during the 90s. In particular I hear the influence of Consorzio Acqua Potabile coming through here. And the third ingredient is a healthy dose of space rock jamming, which provides that spicy kick to take off the implied rigidness. When Logos mixes their ingredients just right, the results can be divine.

One track that will certainly raise your head from your smart phone is 'In Principio', a title that holds a clue. Indeed there is a noticeable pastoral flavor here, reminding one of - yes - Celeste. Midway through there's a splendid space rock jam, as if Sensations' Fix walked into the studio with a bag of psychedelics. I've never heard anyone mix these two styles so splendidly.

On the other hand, L'enigma della vita can drag on occasion, and the rhythms can often be more perfunctory than creative. Personally I found the vocal style to be very good, perhaps not to the standard that Italian prog often brings forth, but if from any other country, Logos would fly high.

There's an enormous amount of music here to absorb, and given that much of it requires one's full attention, the relistenability factor is high. I was torn between 3.5 and 4.0 here (Gnosis 10/11), but given my predilection for the style, I'm staying with the higher score.

12/27/16 (new entry)

Homunculus Res, Italy

Canterbury style (this band needs a decent logo!)

Facebook

Bandcamp

Latest release: Ecco L'impero Dei Doppi Sensi (2023)

---UMR notes

Come si Diventa Ciò Che si Era (2015)

The Italian National Health continues on with their sophomore effort, with native Picchio dal Pozzo, and irreverent Stereolab, trimmings. Basically a continuation of the debut, with more prominent guest stars than prior (from Muffins, Rascal Reporters, New Trolls). Fine with me, as I can listen to this kind of melodic - and complex - music all day. Xenophobes: so sorry for you, must order from Olive Garden menu.

Limiti all’Eguaglianza della Parte con il Tutto (2013)

Homunculus Res is a tremendous new Canterbury styled band from Italy. Following in the footsteps of fellow countrymen Moogg, Homunculus Res have perfectly captured the spirit of another era. Brilliantly mixing melody and complexity, with a jazzy undertone, the 18 tracks on here flow seamlessly, and the album is over far sooner than you might expect. Fans of National Health and Picchio dal Pozzo will most certainly want to investigate. There's also a dash of Stereolab at their most insouciant en Francaise moments. The whimsical and positive disposition of the melodies are at complete odds with the distorted nature of the analog (or faux analog) instruments presented here. I never tire of music like this. Let's see if they can take their ideas to the next level. Highly recommended.

1/30/14; 1/9/16 (new entry)

Mar Assombrado, Brazil

Progressive rock 

Facebook 

Soundcloud

Latest release: Geografias Estranhas (2021). They've announced a 4th album called Muito Além dos Espelhos to be released in early 2024.

---UMR notes

Canções Do Farol (2017)

Along with Mantra, Mar Assombrado represents another independently released progressive rock album from Brazil. And while I loved Proximo, Canções Do Farol is even better for my tastes. It's been forever and a day since a new album came out of nowhere like this and knocked me on my ass. The music is assembled in the same way that the Italian masters of the 70s would do it.  Flute is a major component of Mar Assombrado's sound, yet another Italian hallmark. It's a mix of soft and hard passages (but not metal), and the compositions never stop evolving. While Mantra is a bit more eclectic, and could be considered a hard rock band at times, there's no mistaking Mar Assombrado for anything but hardcore progressive rock. The instrumentation is not retro, so again we are dealing with the modern era, but I found the tones here quite pleasing. I heard this album 3 straight times in one evening (I hardly ever do that anymore), and it continued to improve with each listen. A really great album as far I'm concerned, and looking forward to hearing more from this band. Didn't realize until very recently Brazil had so much interesting new music coming out in the progressive rock space!

6/10/20 (new entry)

Telegraph, Israel

Retro prog

Facebook

Bandcamp

Latest album: Mir (2018). They've recently stated they're working on a second album now.

---UMR notes

Mir (2018)

From the very first moments, it's very apparent we're in Mirage or Moonmadness era Camel territory. Highly melodic guitars and 70s analog keyboards drive the music. The album is mostly instrumental, but on the few vocal moments, Telegraph take on a psychedelic disposition. While comparisons could be made to a band like Sanhedrin with their also-Camel styling, Telegraph is far more retro in outlook. A great debut. Let's hope for more.

6/18/20 (new entry)

Il Paradiso degli Orchi, Italy

Neo Italian prog

Facebook 

Bandcamp

Latest release: Samir (2020)

---UMR notes

Il Corponauta (2016)

Il Paradiso degli Orchi are a band I've been reading about here and there, and was intrigued by the descriptions. Especially one that referenced Jumbo. That's like telling my wife there's a shoe sale going on at Nordstrom. At its best, perhaps it'll be the complete surprise that Le Porte non Aperte's Golem ended up being. Well, not quite that, as the vocals are not Alvaro Fella-like. But rather the music is put together in a way that the classic early 70s Italians would do. It all goes together, somewhat haphazardly, but not in the pejorative sense of the word. From the moment you hit play, until 79 minutes later, you will have no idea where it will take you. But it never gets boring or tedious. Like many of you, I also think 79 minutes of music on the same album is daunting. But Il Paradiso degli Orchi pass that test. Il Corponauta is an investment of time, no question about it. But one that is likely to age well on multiple plays.

Il Paradiso degli Orchi already had one release under their belt - one I've yet to hear - before a familiar presence entered their lives. And that would be Fabio Zuffanti, a gentleman who is almost single-handedly bringing Italy back to 1973. So yes, La Maschera di Cera most assuredly belongs in the conversation here. Even though there's quite a bit of mellotron (probably sampled), the instrumentation and production are not necessarily retro, though it's attempting to be so. In that way, Il Paradiso degli Orchi reminds me of early La Maschera di Cera. Flute is another predominant instrument, and played in a manner that does recall the early Italian masters. Nice vocals sung in proper Italian, guitars, and a snappy rhythm section round out the group. Place Il Paradiso degli Orchi in the stack that also includes Ingranaggi della Valle, Unreal City, La Coscienza di Zeno, and Distillerie di Malto. And many others. Lunga vita al prog Italiano.

7/10/20 (new entry)

Superfjord, Finland

Progressive rock

Facebook

Bandcamp

Latest album: For the Moment Vol. 1 (2021)

Still playing live shows in 2024

All Will Be Golden (2018)

This one took awhile to penetrate. Two full listens over 2 nights - with the always illuminating craft beer by my side - yielded nothing but confusion. OK - need to take this one to the car where I'm sober-as-a-judge and hyper critical. Most albums don't survive that. This one did. On a purely superficial level, Superfjord come across as your modern progressive rock band, demonstrating more ennui than enthusiasm. Nihilism at its finest, a philosophy I abhor. But wait, there's way more here than that. Which is why I was confused - otherwise it would have found itself at Purple Peak Records faster than a cat on a chicken bone.

In the mid 1970s there was an obscure Belgian band called Womega - an LP I own and which I have written about here prior - that trail-blazed what Superfjord are doing here. Here's what I said about Womega: "In a nutshell, the album could be characterized as an all-over-the-map type release.  But - here's the interesting part - all within the confines of what normally constitutes progressive rock, rather than the usual kitchen sink mentality that represents all facets of music in general. Presented here are pomp, Canterbury, proto, symphonic, fusion, and Zappa styles." And that's what Superfjord is about. Add in post rock, space rock, and Latin fusion, and that's the sum of it.

All Will Be Golden isn't as strong as Womega, mainly because it's not as crisp and succinct. The last two tracks in particular have a great premise, but they just drag it out, verse moving it in different directions. Opener 'Cut and Paste' is the epitome song here (including the name...). Starts off in boring (very boring I might add) post rock territory with even duller vocals only to catch absolute fire about 4.5 minutes in with a brilliant guitar break, recalling Camel at their very best.

In summary, it's a frustrating listen, with some fantastic ideas that makes it worth keeping. For now. Would be great if the band could zoom in a bit more though. Seems they're not sure of their own strengths.

---8/6/20

6/17/23 (new entry)

On the Raw, Spain

Jazz fusion; Instrumental prog

Facebook

Bandcamp

Latest release: Climbing the Air (2019). New album entitled Gravity was announced back in March (2023).

---UMR notes

Climbing the Air (2019)

Modern albums who make a claim to jazz fusion usually don't interest me much these days. But On the Raw play a type of instrumental progressive rock with jazz fusion influences. It's interesting that I had just digested the Scope albums again via the new CD reissues, as On the Raw takes a similar approach. They used to call this music "Euro Rock" back in the late 70s and 80s. The compositions have a focus on melody as well as complexity. On the Raw are a full 5 piece including saxophone and flute, along with some guests on trumpet, violin, and female vocals, so the palette set is varied. While certainly a retro mindset prevails, and the instrumentation is decidedly from a past era, the album doesn't really sound like it's from the 70s. I'm scrambling to come up with a modern band that has traversed the same territory as On the Raw has done here. It rocks harder than fellow countrymen Herba d'Hameli for example. Maybe the debut album by Ingranaggi della Valle is a good guidepost. Sure, we're in obscuroland, but that's where On the Raw resides.

8/6/20; 6/17/23 (new entry)

Look who's back?

Who?

Ah, forget that... Alright it's been a full 3 years since this blog had any activity. Life events is the reason - I had other priorities, including in the music world. But as I look at the future landscape, it appears I'm going to have more time to dedicate to online listening and less for crate digging, which dominated the last 4 years. The current job plays a major role in that, though I have to admit to a certain burnout constantly hustling for records. So while I update some older posts - and have already added new ones based on recent albums I've heard - future postings will not necessarily come from an LP or CD. As I look to trim down the collection, there's only so much space. That doesn't mean I won't buy new albums on CD or LP - of course I will - it just means this blog is no longer hamstrung by that limitation.

I still have some cleanup to do here. 3 years is a long time. Lots of dust. Anytime I repurpose a blog, I tend to blow up the old format and bring in something new. And that's exactly what I did here. I plan on leaving many of these as is - especially from bands that are long gone. At least for now.

Plenty of unique content to follow!

Wobbler ~ Norway

Retro prog

Facebook

Bandcamp

Latest: Dwellers of the Deep (2020)

UMR review page for Wobbler

10/15/11 (new entry)

FEM / Forza Elettromotrice, Italy

Italian neo prog

Facebook

Bandcamp

Latest release: Mutazione (2018)

---UMR notes

Mutazione (2018)

Mutazione is the second full album from the band sometimes known as FEM Prog Band. This latter moniker has all kinds of conflicting connotations in English, so it's good to see the band moving towards their actual pre-acronym name. Musically speaking, the album is a bit more subdued than its predecessor, though still very much entrenched in the Italian style. New band members Alessandro Graziano and Pietro Bertoni provide two of the more distinctive sounds of Mutazione. The former brings a strong voice and occasional violin, while the latter adds trombone to the proceedings. Anytime I hear trombone mixed into Italian prog I first think of Jumbo's Vietato, and the instrument is utilized in a similar brassy way here. Primary songwriter Alberto Citterio provides some gorgeous piano lines along with the usual synthesizer kit. Highlight songs include 'Il Cielo Di Sé' and the closer 'Se C'É Una Buona Ragione'. Overall Mutazione proves to be an excellent entry for the genre.

11/2/14; 11/22/18 (new entry); 1/24/21

La Maschera di Cera, Italy

Italian retro prog

Facebook

Bandcamp

Latest: S.E.I. (2020)

S.E.I. (2020)

La Maschera di Cera is arguably the band that best represents the Italian early 1970s progressive rock renaissance. I made that same point a few years ago for my modern Italian prog list. It's been a full 7 years since their last album, the fantastic Le Orme influenced Le Porte del Domani. So has La Maschera di Cera continued to improve or did the rot sit in? 

The album gets to business right away with thunderous woody bass, crunchy Hammond organ, complex rhythms leading to Martin Grice's (Delirium) flute, mellotron sounds, and Italian vocals. You just got your answer. Boom! And they don't let up from there. 3 tracks and 45 minutes later and there's nothing but greatness to reflect on and savor. This is an album made by retro prog guys for retro prog guys. No room to negotiate here. You're either in or you're out. With their 6th release in 18 years, I think La Maschera di Cera has somehow managed to top everything they've done prior. They continued to improve with age, and clearly are ardent students of their own native early 70's music culture. Brilliant really.

---1/25/21

LuxAde (2006)

Hard working bassist Fabio Zuffanti has many bands (Finisterre, Hostsonaten, Aries, Zaal, etc…), and each one represents a certain sound that he likes to explore more in detail (his initial band Finisterre is the one that is truly eclectic). La Maschera di Cera is his vehicle dedicated to the early 1970s Italian progressive rock scene, with only vintage gear being deployed. Along with the usual keyboard (Hammond, Mellotron, Moog), fuzz bass and guitar sounds, there’s quite a bit of flute, an instrument that was predominantly featured in 70s Italian music. In the end, the group achieves what it sets out to do, though I’d say LMdC are not quite as complex of some of the finest bands of the 70s (Jumbo, Semiramis, Banco, RRR, etc..). LuxAde is their 3rd album, and is arguably one of their finest (as I update this in 2019). It's really hard to imagine being a fan of Italian prog and not walking away from LuxAde completely satisfied. The style has been well-studied and executed here by the band. There's a reason why I chose La Maschera di Cera as my primary group for the renaissance of Italian Progressive Rock list: Italian prog from 1987 and beyond.

---1/4/19

Other albums heard: La Maschera di Cera (2002); Il Grande Labirinto (2003); Petail di Fuoco (2010); Le Porte del Domani (2013)

6/16/23 (new entry)

Swifan Eolh & The Mudra Choir, Norway

Progressive rock

Facebook

Bandcamp

Latest release: The Key (2019)

---UMR notes

The Key (2019)

Over 30 years ago, there was a new band from Norway that appeared on an also new LP-only imprint called Colours. That group was known as Utopian Fields, who managed two albums, and both of those have just recently received a CD reissue on the Norsk Classic Albums label. Swifan Eolh & The Mudra Choir (these monikers...) is version 2.0 of Utopian Fields, among others. All the newer bands from Norway are very well studied, and the music they produce is excellent, if not necessarily ear catching. You could read what I said about Tusmorke's latest, and apply it here. Unfortunately these Norwegian albums tend to all blur together (excepting Wobbler of course). I probably need a few hours of intense listening to begin to sift them all through my mind. For The Key, I listened to each side twice, but no specific words emerged. I didn't care for 'Tides are Turning' and liked the opener 'Wounded Dreamers' best. ProgArchives for their part make a point to call this "eclectic prog". I wouldn't have a clue what that meant, but Swifan Eolh & The Mudra Choir do seem a perfect fit for such a wide ranging genre. As for that defunct label Colours, Utopian Fields could be seen as the most obscure on the imprint, considering no less luminaries than Anglagard, Anekdoten, and Landberk all debuted there. Swifan Eolh & The Mudra Choir will be even more obscure in the annals of time.

5/9/22; 6/16/23 (new entry)