Retro prog; Neo Psychedelic
Latest: Nallebjörn är Död (2025) 11/28
Here's another band I didn't think we'd ever hear from again. Lots of 20+ year reunions going on!
11/29/25 (new entry)
November 29, 2025
November 24, 2025
Aufklärung ~ Italy
Neo prog
Latest: Nell'idea De Un Tempo Che (2025) 9/30
Following on the heels of Tale Cue comes another band that I thought was long gone. I did manage a review last year, placed in the journals (below). If I get a chance to hear the new album, I may spin up a UMR page for them.
De La Tempesta… L'Oscuro Piacere. 1995 Pickup (CD). Collection revisit (Sep). Yet another obscure 90s prog CD languishing in the collection that hasn't been touched in over 20 years. Much praise was heaped onto Aufklarung's debut on release, as it offered more than the usual Marillion styled neo prog / arena rock coming from Italy. Their sole album possesses quality songwriting and challenging segments, but does suffer from a typical 90s production. Singing in English takes away from the "Italian" edge, and some of the music falls flat. As you'll see repeatedly below, it was "good for its time" but hasn't aged as well as some of the albums I've recently featured in UMR from this same era.
11/24/25 (new entry)
Aufklarung (for searches)
November 16, 2025
October 24, 2025
Under the Dome ~ Scotland
Berlin School electronic
Latest: Almagest (2020)
Not too much happening with Under the Dome, but they are still fiddling around out there with a new single from 2025. Reopening this page from many years ago.
8/20/12 (new entry)
October 19, 2025
Sammal ~ Finland
Retro prog
Latest: Aika Laulaa (2022)
The group is active and it appears they are working on a 5th album, with no timetable set.
8/15/16 (new entry)
October 18, 2025
October 1, 2025
Dawn ~ Switzerland
Progressive rock
Latest: Case a Chocs 2014 (2024). Live album.
As of July, they are still working on their third album.
---8/12/24
They are still promising to release their third "old school prog" album sometime soon.
10/31/23 (new entry)
Free System Projekt ~ Netherlands
Berlin School electronic
Latest: Archives Volume 3 (2025) 11/21
It doesn't appear that FSP are active anymore, but they are in the process of emptying the vaults. I'm sure there's plenty of great music in these archives.
UMR review page for Free System Projekt
Passenger 4 (2004) w/Dweller at the Threshold
Probably the least inventive of the FSP albums. Not only is it influenced by Rubycon, it's almost a cover version of the album. Which doesn't make it a bad effort. But given how many albums I already own in the style, including by Tangerine Dream themselves, this album comes off as "too much of the same thing.". Gotta go, Joe.
---2/19/24
Pointless Reminder (1999)
Of all the current bands playing in the retro Berlin School of sequencer based electronic music, Dutch ensemble Free System Projekt may be the closest in imitating the original pioneers. Especially the Tangerine Dream variant circa 1976 to 1977. For some, Free System Projekt are no doubt likely to irk purists, and state they are nothing more than plagiarists. But I don't feel that way strangely enough. The style of music that TD laid down 35 years ago is open in nature, one that can be explored in a variety of different ways. I've heard most of FSP's official releases (including collaborations), and I'd probably rate this first album as their best. But they're all very good.
---2008
7/20/11 (new entry)
September 29, 2025
Minimum Vital ~ France
Progressive rock; Folk rock
Latest: Le Royaume (2026). Scheduled for Jan.
Found this browsing their Facebook page while enjoying their first two albums from the 80s. Great to see them still going.
UMR review page for Minimum Vital
7/24/11 (new entry)
September 28, 2025
Tusmorke ~ Norway
Progressive rock; Prog folk
Latest: En Pakt Med Naturen (2025)
Missed this one but it was released on May 9.
1/25/13 (new entry)
September 15, 2025
Secret Saucer ~ USA ~ Cleveland, Ohio
Space rock
Latest: Eclipsed (2020)
Secret Saucer is still active and are talking about releasing a recent live concert.
UMR review page for Secret Saucer2/8/11 (new entry)
September 10, 2025
Bi Kyo Ran ~ Japan
Progressive rock
Latest: Bloodliners (2025)
Here's a band I had no idea was still around. They don't maintain a traditional social media presence. So how did anyone know they had a new album? Disk Union's updates. Here's what they say about the new album, translated by Google: "Japan's leading progressive rock band, Bikyoran, has finally completed their new album, "Bloodliners"! This album approaches modern and alternative sounds, while maintaining the sharp, thrilling sound and incredible performance ability that make Bikyoran Bikyoran, reminiscent of King Crimson's "Sun and Terror" period!"
I'm going to guess that "Sun and Terror" period is Larks Tongues in Aspic to Red, which is what all Bi Kyo Ran albums are patterned after. I didn't know that Bi Kyo Ran meant Beauty Madness until now either.
UMR review page for Bi Kyo Ran
9/10/25 (new entry)
August 30, 2025
Accordo dei Contrari ~ Italy
Retro prog; Jazz rock; Neo Italian prog
Latest: untitled 6th album. TBD
UMR review page for Accordo dei Contrari
7/25/11 (new entry)
French TV ~ USA ~ Louisville, Kentucky
Avant prog; Canterbury styled; Jazz fusion
Latest: The Spanish Caper (2xCD). TBD
9/30/11 (new entry)
August 4, 2025
Ring van Möbius ~ Norway
Retro prog
Latest: Firebrand (2025). To be released Oct 3.
Well they said they were finished. And now they have a new album proclaiming they are done... done. Really, no really.
UMR review page for Ring Van Mobius
1/15/19 (new entry)
July 19, 2025
July 18, 2025
Witch Blade ~ Sweden
Heavy metal; NWOBHM styled
No official band sample page, but their albums are available to hear via the labels that released them.
Latest: Månsken (2022)
No activity since the above album was released. Building page since they'll probably pop up again at some point.
UMR review page for Witch Blade
7/18/25 (new entry)
July 15, 2025
Red Sand ~ Canada ~ Quebec
Neo prog
Latest: The Sound of Silence (2025). To be released Sep 15.
6/18/24 (new entry)
Crypt Sermon ~ USA ~ Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Epic metal; Doom metal
Latest: Saturnian Appendices EP (2025). To be release August 8.
UMR review page for Crypt Sermon
6/1/24 (new entry)
Wucan ~ Germany
Progressive rock; Krautrock
Latest: Axioms (2025). To be released August 29.
6/16/23 (new entry)
Discipline ~ USA ~ Detroit, Michigan
Progressive rock
Latest: Breadcrumbs (2025). To be released August 1
UMR review page for Discipline
7/15/25 (new entry)
May 23, 2025
Hadal Sherpa ~ Finland
Space rock; UK Festival styled psych
Latest: Void Weaver (2025). CD to be released Jun 17. Apparently the digital version is available now.
UMR review page for Hadal Sherpa
7/18/18 (new entry)
May 6, 2025
The Revolutionary Army of the Infant Jesus ~ England
Krautrock styled; Neo Gothic Progressive
Latest: Devotion to a Noble Idea (2025) EP
Beauty Will Save the World (2015)
The Revolutionary Army of the Infant Jesus' debut Gift of Tears sounded like Popol Vuh and Emtidi met head on with Harmonia - with a big dose of intense spirituality a la Dead Can Dance. The EP Le Liturgie Pour le Fin du Temps sounded like a Krautrock Delerium. Other albums left a big WTF behind. And here we are with their first new album in 20 years. RYM gives it the genre of Avant Folk, the same as Moondog and Catherine Ribeiro (shakes head. Huh?). Anyway, forget it, the band defies categorization. Are they even from here? Earth, that is...
---12/5/15
Other albums I own and still need to review: The Gift of Tears (1987); Mirror (1991); Le Liturgie Pour le Fin du Temps (1993); Paradis (1995)
12/5/15 (new entry)
The Budos Band ~ USA ~ Brooklyn, New York
Jazz funk; Heavy psych
Latest: Budos Band VII (2025). To be released May 29.
UMR review page for The Budos Band
3/6/19 (new entry)
April 28, 2025
April 25, 2025
Oresund Space Collective ~ Denmark ~ Sweden
Space rock; Krautrock styled
Latest: Alotta Hella Down in Estrela (2025). To be released May 5.
UMR review page for Oresund Space Collective
9/8/11 (new entry)
April 20, 2025
Overworld Dreams ~ USA ~ New Jersey
Progressive rock
Latest: Geography (2024). Latest FB post suggests a 4th album is very much in the works.
UMR review page for Overworld Dreams
4/20/25 (new entry)
April 18, 2025
Vespero ~ Russia
Krautrock styled; Space rock
Latest: Lost Stories of Kilgore Trout (2025). To be released May 2.
8/10/17 (new entry)
April 5, 2025
Great Wide Nothing ~ USA ~ Atlanta, Georgia
Progressive rock; Neo Prog
Latest: A Shout Into The Void (2025). To be released May 2
UMR review page for Great Wide Nothing
1/24/24 (new entry)
April 3, 2025
Helmet of Gnats ~ USA ~ Connecticut
Progressive rock; Jazz fusion
Latest single: Sunday Drive (2025)
Latest album: Travelogue (2020)
UMR review page for Helmet of Gnats
1/21/24 (new entry)
March 30, 2025
March 18, 2025
Gösta Berlings Saga ~ Sweden
Post rock; Avant prog; Progressive rock; Retro prog
Latest: Forever Now (2025). To be released June 6.
UMR review page for Gösta Berlings Saga
6/24/11 (new entry)
Glass Hammer ~ USA ~ Tennessee
Progressive rock
Latest: Rogue (2025) Will be released Apr 11.
UMR review page for Glass Hammer
10/8/18 (new entry)
March 12, 2025
Hokr ~ Czech Republic
Retro prog; Progressive rock
Website (they have a Facebook page but it hasn't been updated since 2013)
Latest: Meandrea (2025)
4/28/11 (new entry)
February 19, 2025
Corima ~ USA ~ El Paso, Texas ~ Los Angeles, California
Yaay - they're back after three years of disappearing. And the album will be released on Soleil Zeuhl, so they're back too for the first time since 2020.
10/3/12 (new entry)
February 18, 2025
Nuova Era ~ Italy
Neo Italian prog
Latest: 20.000 Leghe Sotto i Mari (2025). To be released Feb 28
5/4/12 (new entry)
February 11, 2025
Solstice ~ England
Progressive rock
Latest release: Clann (2025) To be released 4/4.
12/15/13 (new entry)
February 2, 2025
Jordsjo ~ Norway
Retro prog
Latest: From their Facebook page: "Kontraster", a split 12" with Breidablik is being finalized these days. Expect a release this spring. Jordsjø's contribution is a 20 minute "song" with classic vintage symphonic rock.
- "Pestkrønikene", a compilation with (heavier) stuff that didn't fit into other releases. On these songs, we have invited some of our friends to contribute. We're cooperating with the German label Dying Victims Productions for this one.
2/12/18 (new entry)
January 28, 2025
Happy Family ~ Japan
Progressive rock; Zeuhl; Avant prog
Latest: 4037 (2025). To be released Mar 19. First new work in 11 years! It's an EP apparently.
Minimal Gods (2014)
It would be 17 years until we finally heard from Happy Family again. Their third album Minimal Gods sees Happy Family moving in new directions while maintaining their brand identity as it were. If you came to this album looking for a somewhat similar sound to their first two albums then... I have good news, you will not be disappointed. But as indicated, Happy Family have begun to tread new waters. Most notably, an obvious modern math rock component has entered into their overall sound. Normally that's a term that is anathema to me, but in the capable hands of Happy Family, they are able to transcend the genre norms of clinical and cold precision, for something more alive and a sound that bursts from the speakers. Some would argue they always had a math rock type sound, and that may be true to some extent, though I personally heard more Present and even Canterbury if considering Happy Family's first album. What's most interesting to me is that Minimal Gods doesn't sound anything like the first two albums, and yet the music is entirely - and non mistakenly - Happy Family. There's a certain genius in being able to do that without alienating your fan base. Let's hope we don't have to await another generation to hear a 4th album.
---11/18/14
Toscco (1997)
Happy Family's second album is a bit more "avant prog by the numbers" than the debut which was more of a consolidation of personal influences (Zeuhl, Symphonic rock, Canterbury, Chamber) and then sped up 10x. The intensity is still apparent, though there's more of an attempt to integrate cutesy type melodies - a hallmark of the genre - as if to overcompensate for the unrelenting tension the band brings forth. There's really no standout tracks, though the two lengthier numbers seem to play to Happy Family's strength of producing massive - and fast moving - slabs of sound. Toscco is an excellent sophomore effort, and many see it as an improvement, though I felt it was more of a step back to a safe zone, and thus less influential and reckless than the debut.
---11/18/14
Happy Family (1995)
Perhaps no band arrived with such an in-your-face sound as Happy Family did in 1995. Their fabled live shows were popular amongst the tape trading crowd of the early 1990s. So there was quite a bit of buzz on what their first CD would sound like. The band insisted their albums come out on the preeminent Avant Prog label Cuneiform, and were willing to wait until that label had room on their release schedule. By 1995, anticipation was high, and Happy Family not only delivered, but exceeded, most everyone's expectation.
Consider the first track 'Rock & Young'. Hard to imagine anyone delivering such a strong overpowering opening punch as Happy Family did here. If this track doesn't move your heart rate up a few beats, you're probably dead already, and no one told you (did Aunt Sally forget your birthday for the first time? well, there you go...). And it gets more intense from there. With fuzz bass, fiery sustain electric guitar, staccato piano, buzzing synthesizers, spastic rhythms, and an incredible imagination, Happy Family has to be in the discussion as one of the best albums of the 1990s. The label's comparison of a mix between Magma, King Crimson, Weidorje, Area, and Univers Zero are just flat out spot on. Happy Family took what Belgium's Present were doing in the 1980s, and accelerated it by 100 mph. Strap your seat belt on - hit play - and roar through 50 minutes of incredible intensity and complexity. Get rid of your treadmill, you'll burn 1000 calories just listening to this album. Need.... Gatorade.
---11/18/14
11/18/14 (new entry)
Flor de Loto ~ Peru
Progressive rock; Prog Metal; World Fusion
Latest: Cosmos (2025). Just released.
Imperio de Cristal (2011)
I suppose it was inevitable, but Flor de Loto seems to have gone "whole hog" for prog metal on their 4th and latest album. While it would be unfair to classify this as Dream Theater with pan pipes, there is no denying the band's conscious move to the metal world. There's also many more vocals than prior, which detracts from their former focus as a creative instrumental band. Tracks like 'El Jardin Secreto' show that Flor de Loto haven't forgotten their past, and are more than capable to put together an instrumental psychedelic piece in the grand tradition of the masters like Los Jaivas, with gobs of wah wah fuzz guitar and flute. Still, it seems the band have painted themselves into a corner, and the concept is becoming monotonous. If reviews of any future albums state that Flor de Loto is moving even closer to the center, then I'll probably stop here at Imperio de Cristal. Too bad the band hasn't explored further their psychedelic ambitions that they hinted at on their first two albums. They were definitely unique among bands. Not anymore it appears.
---11/19/12
Mundos Bizarros (2009)
After two albums of pretty much perfecting their brand of instrumental heavy psychedelic rock meets Los Jaivas sound, it was obvious to Flor de Loto that they probably needed to alter their sound a bit, or they would begin down the road to irrelevancy. And that's just what they did. The collection of songs on Mundos Bizarros explore new directions in two different ways. One, they expand the compositions with more complexity and anted up the progressive quotient quite a bit. On the other, there are far more vocals here, adding some song craft that was missing prior. Not to say they've completely abandoned the sound of their first two opuses. In fact, when they do reach into their musical past, Flor de Loto are able to seamlessly mesh it within the context of their new direction, giving it a new fresh perspective. As well, the guitars are slightly heavier this go round, indicating a move to the prog metal camp on occasion. It will be interesting to see where Flor de Loto goes from here.
---11/18/12
Madre Tierra (2007)
Largely an extension of the debut, with perhaps a bit more extending of both of their distinctive styles, making the pole that much longer. On the one hand, the "Western" part of their sound is heavier with more jamming guitar and psychedelic solos. And then their Peruvian indigenous side is given more space for the variety of pan flutes and traditional melodies to be played out. Not surprisingly, Flor de Loto are at their best when melding the two for what becomes a pure fusion - a term that is often misused in the modern day lexicon. Overall Madre Tierra shows enough growth to distinguish itself from the debut. Hence, another recommended title.
---11/18/12
Flor de Loto (2005)
The Mylodon label has been responsible for turning up some great bands from Chile, and it’s nice to see them reach over to their northern neighbors in Peru, where we find the excellent band Flor de Loto. Peru had quite the psych scene in the late 60s and early 70s, and they possessed one of the world’s most exciting music movements of the day. But political conflicts were particularly hard on Peru, and the country degenerated into chaos throughout most of the 70s and 80s. Stability seems to have returned, and now we’re getting a new crop of music acts. Flor de Loto are very much a modern band, but one with two feet in the past. One foot goes to the heady days of the early 1970s that produced the progressive rock scene. The other "feet" goes way back to the indigenous tribes, and their musical traditions and folklore. So along with the usual rock instrumentation of guitar, bass and drums, they have a dedicated winds performer who plays on a variety of flutes, both classical and traditional. Somewhere between the aggressive Japanese band Naikaku and the classic Chilean group Los Jaivas is where you’ll spot the sound of Flor de Loto. Their formula is one that can go in many different directions and still be exciting.
---11/17/12
11/17/12 (new entry)
Banco del Mutuo Succorso ~ Italy
Italian progressive rock
Latest release: Storie Invisibili (2025). To be released Feb 28.
Transiberiana (2019)
Banco del Mutuo Succorso would be a good example of my concept of "bands as brands". With charismatic opera styled singer Francesco di Giacomo and long time guitarist Rodolfo Maltese no longer with us, there's no chance for a true reunion. In addition, the original rhythm section is nowhere to be found. And finally, brother Gianni Nocenzi hasn't been with the band for some 35 years. That leaves only keyboardist Vittorio Nocenzi carrying the torch. In tow are 5 new members, each talented in their own right. So if Banco were to remain an functioning entity, it could very well do so even if V. Nocenzi can no longer participate, or even want to.
This prelude is poignant with Banco del Mutuo Succorso because Transiberiana lays out a blueprint for the future, not a retread of the past. When looking at the history of the band, they were part of the original Italian prog movement, and their records in this style spanned only 6 to 7 years. Which for a typical Italian prog band is a lifetime of records, but from a chronological standpoint, it's a very small period of time. Then "Banco" became a pop band throughout the 80s. They returned to participate in the 90s progressive rock renaissance, but mainly as a live act mostly recreating the past. As for new music, nothing special ever surfaced. Their highest rated albums are simply new recordings of past compositions.
Until now. Transiberiana has all the earmarks of the past, including the depth of composition, the talent of the musicians, and those oh-so-critical turn-on-a-dime musical breaks. This is the music of 1973 Banco del Mutuo Succorso moved up 46 years. It sounds every bit like an album from 2019, and the new members bring many contemporary influences to the table. It's up to Nocenzi to school the others on what it's like to be a part of the legacy that is Banco del Mutuo Succorso. And he's done a great job at that, and one gets the sense the band could continue in this vein for many years - evolving the brand as it were. Is this the best Banco album? No. It would be nigh impossible to beat their trio of original albums, perhaps the greatest 3 album run in history. And Come in un'Ultima Cena is another tough one to top. But their best album in the last 42 years? Yes, most assuredly it is!
This prelude is poignant with Banco del Mutuo Succorso because Transiberiana lays out a blueprint for the future, not a retread of the past. When looking at the history of the band, they were part of the original Italian prog movement, and their records in this style spanned only 6 to 7 years. Which for a typical Italian prog band is a lifetime of records, but from a chronological standpoint, it's a very small period of time. Then "Banco" became a pop band throughout the 80s. They returned to participate in the 90s progressive rock renaissance, but mainly as a live act mostly recreating the past. As for new music, nothing special ever surfaced. Their highest rated albums are simply new recordings of past compositions.
Until now. Transiberiana has all the earmarks of the past, including the depth of composition, the talent of the musicians, and those oh-so-critical turn-on-a-dime musical breaks. This is the music of 1973 Banco del Mutuo Succorso moved up 46 years. It sounds every bit like an album from 2019, and the new members bring many contemporary influences to the table. It's up to Nocenzi to school the others on what it's like to be a part of the legacy that is Banco del Mutuo Succorso. And he's done a great job at that, and one gets the sense the band could continue in this vein for many years - evolving the brand as it were. Is this the best Banco album? No. It would be nigh impossible to beat their trio of original albums, perhaps the greatest 3 album run in history. And Come in un'Ultima Cena is another tough one to top. But their best album in the last 42 years? Yes, most assuredly it is!
---7/16/20
Garofano Rosso (1976)
The odd album out in the Banco del Mutuo Soccorso canon, though they were to repeat it again on Di Terra. That is, this is Banco without vocals! Francesco di Giacomo is such an integral part of the band, it doesn't seem possible to hear the music without him. And he's still a member, being credited here with "documentazione". The music (a soundtrack to an Italian TV series) is still patently Banco DMS, though they're changing with the times and adding more jazzy elements to their sound. The Nocenzi brothers continue to lead the band with their organs, pianos, and synthesizers ripping away. You'll hear some familiar themes from past albums as well. The music isn't as edgy or as epic as their earlier efforts, but taken on its own account, Garofano Rosso is a fine listen.
---12/26/21
Come in un'Ultima Cena (1976)
Banco del Mutuo Succorso started their career with what many consider the greatest 3 album run in all of Italy, and one could argue for progressive rock in general, competing mightily against the likes of Genesis and Yes. Then silence. 1974 blew by, and 1975 saw only the requisite might-break-in-the-States-probably-not English language album, that featured unique arrangements, but a bit watered down from the massive beasts they opened with. By 1976, Banco confusingly released an all instrumental soundtrack album, that has little to do with their namesake. And finally we get to Come in un'Ultima Cena, their true followup to Io Sono Nato Libero. Since still signed with Manticore, the band were obligated to do a co-release in English (As in a Last Supper). Nevertheless, that version didn't see an English language country release (until 2010!), having been dumped into Germany as an afterthought. And so this was the last hurrah for the classic Banco del Mutuo Succorso as we knew them. They had one more fantastic instrumental album left in them (Di Terra) and off the pop cliff they went, only to return during the prog revival years. But they were broken.
This premise leads to the album itself. It's important to understand the background from which Banco entered into this recording. And let's not forget the 1976 landscape in general, where progressive rock in Italy were in their last throes of survival. And that provides the story here. This is Banco neutered and ready for a domiciled life. No more hunting in the wilds for their food. Once that premise has been accepted, then the album can now enter your stereo for a proper listen. It's the name Banco del Mutuo Succorso that usually holds this album back. But a careful listen on its own, demonstrates the same intense progressive rock composition style. Di Giacomo is also in fine form here, perhaps a bit more strained than prior. But the edge of the instrumentation is gone, along with the youthful exuberance. It's progressive rock by professionals. Which means, it's an excellent album throughout. And yet, you know they can do better. My rating reflects more an objective viewpoint in this case, rather than my usual subjectivity. I owe them that.
This premise leads to the album itself. It's important to understand the background from which Banco entered into this recording. And let's not forget the 1976 landscape in general, where progressive rock in Italy were in their last throes of survival. And that provides the story here. This is Banco neutered and ready for a domiciled life. No more hunting in the wilds for their food. Once that premise has been accepted, then the album can now enter your stereo for a proper listen. It's the name Banco del Mutuo Succorso that usually holds this album back. But a careful listen on its own, demonstrates the same intense progressive rock composition style. Di Giacomo is also in fine form here, perhaps a bit more strained than prior. But the edge of the instrumentation is gone, along with the youthful exuberance. It's progressive rock by professionals. Which means, it's an excellent album throughout. And yet, you know they can do better. My rating reflects more an objective viewpoint in this case, rather than my usual subjectivity. I owe them that.
---3/4/17
Io Sono Nato Libero (1973)
After two remarkable albums to start their career, could Banco del Mutuo Succorso maintain the momentum for a 3rd? The answer is a resounding YES. The sextet possessed so much talent, in both instrumentation and composition, it seemed that their imagination was endless. But the heroes of the band remain the Nocenzi brothers, who bring an arsenal of vintage keyboards, along with the latest in synthesizer technology. They play off each other as only two brothers could - each knowing what the other is thinking before they think it themselves. If I had to pick just one song from Banco's canon, it would be Io Sono Nato Libero's opener 'Canto Nomade per un Prigioniero Politico' which packs a wallop, and goes in dozens of different directions. Giacomo's powerful operatic voice sends the message home, that yes, we are born free! To take this even further, when someone asks me to play one representative of Italian prog, this is the track I pull out. The album doesn't stop there, as Banco mixes melody, complex instrumental sections, intense passion, and immense creativity. For my tastes, Io Sono Nato Libero is the best Banco has to offer, and considering the stiff competition, that's quite an achievement.
---8/25/21
Banco del Mutuo Succorso (1972)
The debut album by one of the pillars of the Italian progressive rock movement. As good as advertised, Banco DMS brings out all the elements that made them so stellar: Dual keyboards, heavy guitars, complex rhythms, and the operatic male vocals sung in glorious Italian. Highlights include long time favorites such as 'R.I.P', 'Metamorfosi', and the lengthy 'Il Giardino del Mago'. For my tastes, this comes in second place to the almighty Io Sono Nato Libero. Table stakes for any progressive rock collection.
---1/10/24
Other albums heard: Darwin (1972); Banco (1975); ...di Terra (1978); Canto di Primavera (1979); Capolinea (1980)
7/16/20 (new entry)
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