ZARATHUSTRA - LIVE IN STUDIO

It does what it says on the tin - RPI heroes Museo Rosenbach reunite nearly 40 years later to re-record their landmark 1973 release Zarathustra note-for-note. Founding members Stefano "Lupo" Galifi (vocals), Giancarlo Golzi (drums), and Alberto Moreno (piano) are assisted by an ample cast including guitarists Sandro Libra and Max Borelli, bassist Andy Senis, and keyboard player Fabio Meggetto. The extra hands on deck allow Museo to realize and revitalize the album without compromise, and fully cover all the integral parts of the original. The running order has been altered somewhat, placing the climactic "Zarathustra" suite at the end, as performed in concert. The sound is decidedly modern, bringing the somewhat hastily recorded original into the 21st century with a heavier edge. Always a Heavy Prog group, the new Museo Rosenbach almost skew Progressive Metal, primarily due to the thrash tone of the guitars. The whole production reminds me a lot of Claudio Simonetti's work with Daemonia, and how the Goblin catalog was interpreted. This can be good or bad depending on how you look at it; while I would love for Museo Rosenbach to have new-found success and get the attention they deserve, in my opinion there is nothing wrong with the original album. Quite the contrary: Zarathustra is an essential RPI pillar and one of the top five Italian Prog albums in nearly everyone's list. Though this new Zarathustra will never replace the original, the more the merrier I suppose.

"Dell'Eterno Ritorno" is prefaced with a newly-penned "Intro" section - I hear some middle- eastern influences and don't quite understand the connection but the song proper begins soon enough. I was taken aback immediately by the crisp, modern production; I expected Live in Studio to sound good, just not this good. For a live album, the performances are spot-on and maybe even a little too perfect. Lupo sounds like he hasn't aged a day and his voice is in incredible shape. Golzi and Moreno also provide impressive contributions, doubly so for Moreno who also serves as bandleader and artistic director. "Degli Uomini" and its immediately recognizable Mellotron intro take things up a notch in the energy department. The keyboard sounds are actually pretty authentic for software synths - of course I would prefer the genuine article, but from a logistical standpoint they make more sense. "Della Natura" is an accurate portrayal of the original, though some liberties are taken here and there. The palm-muted guitar technique is overdone at times, but the general spirit of the song is never lost.

The 22-minute "Zarathustra" suite and its five movements are faithfully reproduced, though the new band members are permitted to leave their stamp and make it their own. Andy Senis in particular does a great job re-imagining some of the bass lines, in many cases improving upon the original. Again the keyboards are tasteful for the most part and Golzi is just a beast on the drums. Live in Studio is well done if somewhat unnecessary. I would much rather hear some new material or have a DVD of the performance instead. As a contemporary release it is still miles better than 90 percent of music today, and the timelessness of the original is fully vindicated and celebrated. And it's a lot of fun.