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La Torre Dell'Alchimista - Neo CD (album) cover

NEO

La Torre Dell'Alchimista

 

Rock Progressivo Italiano

4.05 | 89 ratings

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apps79
Special Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator
3 stars The following years were quite busy for La Torre Dell' Alchimista.Adding Elena Biagioni on keyboards they were invited to the 2002 Nearfest in New Jersey, a performance captured in the 2005 live CD ''USA ... you know?''.The group was part of another major Prog event, the 2004 Gouveia Art Rock Festival in Portugal, opening the gig of Isildurs Bane.Meanwhile Biagioni, flutist Silva Ceraolo and drummer Noberto Mosconi left the group and were replaced by Michelangelo Donadini on drums and Mauro Donini on flute and sax, while, as the Kaliphonia had folded, they found a new home on MaRaCash Records.Preparations for a second album begun in 2006, but soon Donini also quit for personal reasons and the album was recorded as a quartet with a few guests on guitars, violin and flute.''Neo'' was released eventually in 2007.

Despite the busy programm and the line-up changes, this new work finds La Torre Dell' Alchimista in great shape.They insist on playing a melodic Symphonic Rock with dual and triple keyboard fanfares, combining the drama of GENESIS' compositions, the extreme technique of KEITH EMERSON and the romanticism of LE ORME's delicate approach.Everything in the album is well-composed and nicely executed.From the very good, crystal-clear vocals of Michele Giardino to the melodic passages and the bombastic acrobatics of Michele Mutti.The music is quite amazing with impressive breaks and good melodies, based mainly on the vintage organ washes and the dreamy Mellotrons of Mutti.As with their debut guitars are used sporadically and the style of the group is led by Classical-inspired themes, very dense keyboard interplays and a heavy dose of ethereal movements.Mutti's performance on synthesizers is pretty limited and he uses them exactly when needed, while the instrumental parts are quite extended with a high technical level, always delivered in memorable compositions.The material is not exactly original, as traces of the past legends are always waiting in the corner, but the combination of romantic soundscapes with more grandiose atmospheres is more than welcome.

Simultaneously the group was in search of an additional member and finally multi-instrumentalist Matteo Mondini joined them shortly after.However the inactivity of La Torre Dell' Alchimista gives birth for the questionable future of the group.

Very good Symphonic Rock with influences both from the Italian and British scene of the 70's.Again this is not very original stuff, but the nice compositions of ''Neo'' are certainly more than rewarding.Strongly recommended...3.5 stars.

apps79 | 3/5 |

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