Radio Massacre International, England

Berlin School Electronic; Space rock

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Latest (physical) release: The Rhodes Less Travelled (2xCD-R) (2019). We're hearing that a new proper 2xCD (finally!) called Galactic Furnace is to be released (2023).

---UMR notes

Rain Falls in Grey (2007)

As stated in my review for Septentrional, Radio Massacre International are one of today's most innovative groups. Case in point: Rain Falls in Grey. On this outing, RMI pay their respect to Syd Barrett. Musically this is RMI's most overt space rock effort, with raging electric guitars, and ferocious drumming. As well, RMI have successfully created those magical atmospheres that one would typically find on an old German Ohr release, who themselves were enamored with late 1960's Pink Floyd. This being RMI, one is never too far from classic mid 70's Tangerine Dream, and the combination of the early Krautrock sound with "Berlin School" electronics is highly fascinating. After a bit of a lull at the beginning of the decade, RMI has created a triumvirate of classic releases starting with Emissaries. Each represents an entirely different sound. Rare is this kind of innovation found, much less from a band whose recording history was almost 15 years old by this point.

Septentrional (2006)

Radio Massacre International have to be viewed as one of the most innovative of recent groups. Certainly within the electronic music space, a field that has the same devotion and non-wavering loyalty to sub-genres as does heavy metal. You're either "Berlin School" or "Ambient" or "Techno" or any other such labels, but you shouldn't be all of them - say many fans. RMI, who started out pretty much strictly "Berlin School", are now all the above and more, with recent excursions into tripped out Krautrock, and whatever else they feel like doing. Septentrional is one of their most polarizing CD albums (their privately released CD-R's are even more controversial). Produced by Ian Boddy, and released on his DiN label, Septentrional is RMI at their most modern and cutting edge. But in a paradoxical way. See, Septentrional has more of that ancient mellotron than any of their other albums. Of course it's put through the production grinder and is echoed, techno'd, phased, manipulated, and ultimately tortured through Boddy's mad scientist lab. It's all rather fascinating. Headphone music for the modern age. If looking for just one composition to leave your jaw hanging, may I suggest 'Trident', which is truly a beautiful thing to hear and behold.

Solid States (2003)

Solid States is made up of 4 live and studio concerts during November of 2002, performed in both Philadelphia and the Los Angeles area. This is one of Radio Massacre International's more psychedelic releases, and that's primarily due to the abundance of electric guitar. Basically what we have here are long journeys of Berlin School electronic music with fat analog sequencers, mellotron, and loud acid guitar solos. If this sounds like Encore era Tangerine Dream, including the concerts-in-the-USA theme, then yes, you have tracked the scent indeed. One cannot possibly get enough of 'Coldwater Canyon' in my book, and here you'll swim in roughly 2 and a half hours of it. Essential.

Planets in the Wires (2001)

According to my database, I have accumulated 14 RMI albums to date, and sold one (Zabriskie Point). Too much of the same thing you ask? That's kind of where my head was at going into this listen. Of all their albums that I do own, I've held this one with the least regard.

Now I'm not so sure of that assessment. I will say that it is too long, and the 75 minute length could have been trimmed by 20 minutes easy. Some of the lengthy "ambient" sections don't add much to the recording and get away from what Radio Massacre International does best: Essentially copy Baumann-era Tangerine Dream. But once the sequencers begin to roar and Gary Houghton begins to wail on his guitar similar to Edgar Froese, well it sure is hard not to appreciate the contents within. I probably do have too much of this kind of stuff. Where to draw the line? I dunno - kicking that can down the road some more. I have other fish to fry.

Knutsford in May (1997)

The hardest part about writing on Radio Massacre International, is that they have so many doggone great albums, it's near impossible to determine what is great from what is really great. If you're a fan of the Berlin School of electronic music (Tangerine Dream, Klaus Schulze, etc...), and you like sequencers, mellotron and electric guitars (and even real drums on later albums) - then do not wait another second - don't walk, but run out, and buy at least one RMI album. You almost cannot go wrong, though as I said in the prelude, there is a bit of separation on their respective titles. Knutsford in May is one of their can't miss titles for fans of the genre. This one has more than its share of mellotron and guitars, and while listening to this you'll feel like someone dropped you into Edgar Froese's studio circa 1975. RMI have completely mastered the style, and if you're looking for a starting place - Knutsford in May is as good as any.

Frozen North (1995)

It all starts here for Radio Massacre International (RMI). That most creative English band that almost single-handedly brought back the Berlin School trio format back to prominence. All three perform on a raft full of analog keyboard equipment (yes, of course, mellotron, Moog's, etc...), while one doubles up on electric guitar. Sound familiar? Sure it does. So if you're looking for about 20 more quality albums from the glory days of Tangerine Dream's "Virgin Baumann years", well do I have good news for you! Not that RMI was content to just sit in that same zone, as many of their albums followed other trends of German Kosmische, but primarily RMI were all about sequencer and atmospheric mid to late 70s Tangerine Dream. And the double CD Frozen North is the perfect place to start (if you can find it that is - I bought mine not long from its release date). We are talking 2 hours and 15 minutes of Encore meets Rubycon era Tangerine Dream. Not a mere copy, but yet a completely unique take on a classic sound. To say it is essential for fans of Berlin School elektronik music would almost be understating the matter.

The God of Electricity (1994 archival)

In effect, The God of Electricity is Radio Massacre International's earliest album, though not released until 2000. The album was recorded throughout the summer of 1994, and later pieced together, which is a bit different than the normal RMI protocol. It's a darker work, with synthesizers dominating the proceedings even more so than later in their career. The sequencers remind us once again that Baumann-era Tangerine Dream is the blueprint for all future RMI recordings. The God of Electricity is yet another excellent album from RMI, though I wouldn't recommend it as a starting place (better to try their actual debut Frozen North to get the true Radio Massacre International experience).

2001; 2002; 2003; 2008; 5/17/11; 2014; 10//15 (new entry); 5/26/16; 11/1/16; 6/24/22

Il Cerchio d'Oro, Italy

Neo Italian Prog

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Latest release: Pangea e le Tre Luna (2023)

---UMR notes

Dedalo e Icaro (2013)

Despite having a heritage that dates back to 1974, Il Cerchio d'Oro seem to be paying homage to the 90's Italian renaissance rather than the original 70s movement. Odd, given that many of their peers are looking back 20 years further. Il Cerchio d'Oro reminds me of bands such as Malibran, Barrock, and Nuova Era. In my estimation, certainly better than the former two but not quite up to the standard of the latter. The analog instrumentation isn't convincing, the drums are more rock oriented rather than jazz, and Dedalo e Icaro definitely has that bright, digital sound. All the same, there's no doubting that Il Cerchio d'Oro plays in the classic Italian style. The constant thematic shifts within each composition, the lengthy instrumental interludes, and the rough hewn vocals (in Italian of course) all underscore the region's characteristics. There are better albums from Italy being created now, but Il Cerchio d'Oro's sophomore release is no slouch. Conditionally recommended to fans of the style. Of which I'm one.

7/21/13 (new entry)

Il Bacio della Medusa, Italy

Neo Italian prog; Eclectic

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Latest release (coming soon in 2023): #lmilla / Imilla

---UMR notes

Deus Lo Volt (2012)

Il Bacio della Medusa returns with their 3rd opus, an album that is likely to please fans of classic early 1970s Italian progressive rock – and perhaps only to them. Allow me a chance to further clarify: If band names such as Delirium, Cervello, and Odissea send a chill up your spine, then Deus Lo Volt will be considered a must purchase. Otherwise, you may want to do a bit more research and get back to us. There is some Italian progressive rock that is easy to digest on initial listening (PFM, Le Orme, Acqua Fragile…) – and then there’s the deep-dive stuff – albums that require hours of listening to a preferred style and still love it despite the quirks. In other words, you have to be “all in” to appreciate an album such as this. Good, bad, or indifferent, I myself would have to be considered “all in”, so I think it’s a wonderful piece overall. But this is not the first album I’d pull from my collection for a co-worker looking to hear a few sounds from my collection. They’d look at me as if I’d just arrived from another universe (well, they do anyway, but let’s not go there…). Deus Lo Volt is a concept album about Pope Urbano II, the Papal overlord of none other than the First Crusade. If there was ever a topic that is likely to draw a gleeful smile from a shadowy progressive rock fan, well then... this has got to take the cake! What the lyrics interpret of his life and ambition is for Italian speakers only, and I could care a less really. I’m here for the music and the vocal representation. On this latter point, the male vocals here are of the 70s gruff variety similar to the aforementioned bands in sentence number #2.  Of course there’s the fluttering flute provided by no less than a shapely and beautiful long haired lass. All the other requisite sounds and themes are in place: Majestic keyboards, hard rocking guitars, and a rhythm section that can’t stand to stay on the same meter for more than 20 seconds. A couple of somewhat disappointing observations: The title track, for the first 5 minutes at least, sounds more like Iron Maiden on their debut than Italian prog rock. And while I love Maiden as much as the next person, I do feel it’s a bit incongruous here. Though the final two minutes of said track show off their Italo-prog cred – add flute - and go all Osanna on us. And then finally we get to the length of the disc. Now I know lots of folks feel that “filling the disc” with 80 minutes of music is tiresome, and while I may not completely agree, I do understand the point. But Deus Lo Vult is only 34 minutes long. Certainly another 10 or 15 minutes could have been added to fill out a normal LP length? We’re in Dalton territory here, right? On the plus side, the CD comes in a wonderful hardbound book cover, with an interesting lyric libretto with photos. I’m really enjoying this musically and aesthetically. But surely, oh surely, there  had to be another 10 good minutes sitting on the cutting room floor?

Discesa Agl'inferi D'un Giovane Amante (2008)

Il Bacio della Medusa is back with their sophomore effort Discesa Agl'inferi D'un Giovane Amante. Just rolls off the tongue doesn't it? Well if there was any doubt where Il Bacio della Medusa's heart was after the debut, then those were put to rest for the opening here. With the addition of violin, Il Bacio della Medusa declares that they are indeed a progressive rock band, and they're here to stay. Simone Cecchini's vocals have definitely improved, and you can tell he's studied the early 70s masters intently (and even more so on their 3rd album). Love the Pholas Dactylus styled psychotic narration. His performance is definitely one of the highlights of the disc. Meanwhile Diego Petrini gives the old fashioned piano more air time, which is always welcome here at UMR. Not to mention plenty of old school organ. Eva Morelli's staccato flute is layered on the constantly changing rhythms, and guitarist Brozetti still has a bit too much pig squeal in his guitar, but he can lay off when appropriate. For those who miss the glory days of Osanna, you could do worse than pick this album up on your next order.

Il Bacio della Medusa (2004)

Il Bacio della Medusa may have entered the scene quietly, but that album cover certainly is striking. Like a cross between Nuova Idea's Clowns and Manilla Road's The Courts of Chaos, one might imagine this to be some wacky prog metal take on the classic Italian 70s scene. Fortunately it is not and is much more reverent to the Italian progressive rock masters than heavy metal. Still, this is definitely their heaviest album, and also their most modern sounding. It could pass for sophisticated hard rock as much as symphonic progressive. In that way, Il Bacio della Medusa started their career much in the same way as Deus Ex Machina. Hey, you gotta start somewhere. And in 2004, there was a lull in the retro progressive movement, and it seemed every band coming out of Italy were either prog metal nuts, or Dutch styled neo progressive bands singing in English, neither of which interested me much anymore. So here comes Il Bacio della Medusa with their flutes, psychotic Italian vocals, crazy dynamics, even an accordion, plus more ideas than they could control at that time. In retrospect, it's an excellent album, where perhaps the only fault was the aforementioned crunchy guitars, which belied their overall approach.

9/18/12; 12//13 (new entry)

Astrolabio, Italy

Neo Italian prog; Retro prog

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Latest release: I Paralumi Della Ragione (2017). Working on their 3rd album now for possibly 2023! 

---UMR notes

L'isolamento dei Numeri Pari (2014)

I could say that L'isolamento dei Numeri Pari is Italian prog-by-the-numbers, but that would be rather cheeky of me. See, Astrolabio are not ones to take things too seriously. The album's title means "Isolation of the Even Numbers", and witness the cover as the even numbers are roaming about in a body of water. Meanwhile the tracks are all indexed by the odd numbers (1,3,5....to 21). Musically, the metaphor holds as well - but in a good way. No question Astrolabio have studied their 1970s Italian prog, and though the instrumentation teeters both the 70s and 90s, the overall execution is splendid. If one were to be critical, it's that the album doesn't feature any dramatic highs, nor too many surprises, so in that way they aren't like the very best the genre has too offer. Our good friend Apps79 offers up Jumbo and Biglietto per L'Inferno as a couple of benchmarks, but they aren't near as passionate and experimental as the former, nor as jarring as the latter. And yet, of course, it's a good comparison all the same. I hear more Osanna in the "hard core Italian" aspects of the album, whereas Pink Floyd (cheers Snow!) gives us our Anglo sound (perhaps Mary Newsletter from the home country gets a shout out). Very good album overall. No surprises or head lifting moments, and yet it accomplishes what it set out to do. Hard to complain about that. For fans of classic Italian prog.

3//17 (new entry); 5/19/18

Alphataurus, Italy

Neo Italian prog

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Latest release: Prime Numbers (2014). A new album is just now being completed (2023)! Great to see this band as brand still going.

---UMR notes

AttosecondO (2012)

For the music, AttosecondO finally closes the book on their unfinished second album, the previously titled Dietro L'Uragano. The Live in Bloom (CD version) concert demonstrated very competent versions of two of these tracks, and it seems the band was in top form. AttosecondO adds the final important track 'Claudette' (13:40), to complete the mystery of "what if these tracks were recorded properly"? For those who bought the Live in Bloom for the same reason as I did - that is to hear the second album performed properly - fear not. The versions found on AttosecondO have been radically reworked from the Live in Bloom concert, to arguably greater success. But that's only part of the story here, as Alphataurus have added two entirely new tracks to open the album 'Progressiva Menta' (8:29) and 'Gocce' (9:27), both of which sound like the best of the modern Italian progressive rock bands that are striving to recreate the past. Of course, it would make sense that Alphataurus would be experts at this  - since they actually were one of those original bands! However, as we all know by now, most of these reunions haven't been near the level we'd originally hoped. Alphataurus is the exception. They clearly have recaptured the spirit of their youth, and seem on the cusp of releasing another monster album like their 1973 debut. Even though the founding two members are in their 60s, let's hope they don't quit just yet and prove that the older guys can be as creative as the youngsters - of which now three of said youth are part of the Alphataurus machine.

Live in Bloom (2012)

I bought the CD mainly to hear the fully realized versions of 'Ripensando E…' (7:36) and 'Valigre di Terra' (12:02), both tracks from the unfinished second album. As it turns out the former composition is an instrumental and so it wasn't quite as different as I expected. But 'Valigre di Terra' was the highlight of that archival release, and to hear it with vocals, makes this well worth the price of admission by itself. That along with the beautiful cover art (the CD is in the mini-LP format), painted by the same gentleman who impressed everyone with the brilliant triple fold out of the original 1973 album.

Alphataurus (1973)

The Italian progressive rock scene between 1972 and 1974 seemed to foster a culture in which bands would compete to determine who could be more imaginative, which group could create the most exciting, intelligent and challenging album to date. Historically, Italy has always had this mindset. The painters, poets, sculptors and other artisans of the Renaissance dueled frequently to catch the eye of Popes, Kings, mighty nobles and other magistrates of the era. With this is in mind, Alphataurus were one of the better contenders, a clear winner to create the frescoes for the small village church.

Like all worthy Italian bands of 1973, Alphataurus on their self-titled debut, featured top notch musicians to play guitars (electric and acoustic), bass, drums, and an arsenal of keyboards (organ, synths, piano, spinet, vibraphone). And, of course, the requisite dramatic, powerful vocals in the Italian language. The music alternates between heavy and soft, and is at most, heavy rock with hundreds of time signature changes, not to mention navigating through the style changes which include classical, blues, jazz, Italian pop of the 19th century and hard rock. How this all meshes seamlessly is the brilliance of the Italian progressive rock Renaissance. The five long tracks here all display these wonderful qualities and represent yet another classic of the day. Stylistically, they compare most to Banco del Mutuo Succorso.

Fortunately, it wasn't just the music that called for high levels of creativity. The album art work was but one more exciting component of the movement. And here, Alphataurus moves to the top of the class. The original on Magma Records features a triple fold out cover of an olive branch-carrying dove dropping nuclear bombs out of its hatch while an inferno takes place below. A jaw dropper.

Dietro L'Uragano (1974;1992)

Similar to many Italian bands of this era, Alphataurus seemed to flare out after one release. But Mellow Records turned up a complete album minus the vocal sections. Apparently the band was looking for another singer when they finally gave up. 1974 was the end of the line for most of the Italian scene, so ultimately this should come as no surprise. On Dietro L'Uragano, the music is more playful, slightly less complex, and far more dependent on keyboards than the debut effort. Parts of this remind me of the heavy but simple tracks found on The Trip's Caronte album, though overall Alphataurus is more engaging here. ELP circa Tarkus, is another obvious influence. Unfortunately it's apparent the music was written with a vocalist in mind, so there are some gaps to be found.

I sold the CD a few years ago to no regrets. The good news is that these tracks were re-recorded on their two 2012 albums, and are fantastic.

2009; 7/12/12; 8/14/12 (new entry); 12/12/12

Odessa, Italy

Neo Italian prog

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Latest release: L'Alba della Civilta (2022). Didn't realize they were still around!

---UMR notes

Stazione Getsemani (1999)

Yet another one of those forgotten Italian prog albums from the 90s. I dutifully picked most of them up as they were released. Listened. Happy. Filed. 21 years later, here we are again, and I couldn't remember a thing about it. Odessa tapped into that unique strain of songwriting that goes with the Italian progressive rock movement. This is not retro at all - the instrumentation screams the era in which it was released. But the composition style looks backwards 25 years, and that's what makes albums like this endearing. As time goes by, many albums from my collection are finding themselves in the sale pile, and yet these 90s Italian prog albums continue to grow in stature. For certain, I'm predisposed to liking them. Odessa is not where you start your exploration into the Italian prog renaissance. But if you're a fan like me, then it should be on your list to investigate.

5/10/20; 7/8/23 (new entry)

La Bocca della Verita, Italy

Italian neo prog

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Latest release: [Un]Connected (2023). 

---UMR notes

Avenoth (2009)

So what do we have here anyway? Yet another retro Italian prog album you ask? Well, yes, for the most part. Perhaps not enough for Genius Hans, but yes, 70s Italian prog is right. Actually it's more like the 90s imitation of 70s prog than the real deal. I've spoken about this before, and it's a style I quite like, but purists tend to scoff. By no means should this be classified as "neo prog" either (meaning in the British/Dutch/German sense of the term). No, it's not that. Definitely 70s in spirit and 90s in instrumentation. For those that have no use for modern sounds and production techniques, then it's probably best to steer clear. Best I can tell, this album was available as a download only in 2009, and later picked up by the good folks at AltRock/Fading for proper CD release. Now the production does leave something to be desired, as it's a bit distorted on the loud side. But if we take out all the modern concerns, and just focus on the music, then we have something to behold here. Long tracks filled with imagination and complexity, sung in the native tongue as God intended, just like any upstanding Italian prog album would have it. For fans of the genre, this goes to the priority cue.

8/4/17 (new entry)