CONTEA DEI CENTO CASTAGNI

Faveravola's debut is a mellow and gentle symphonic effort with strong reminiscences of the italian symphonic tradition but more melodic and soft, as it clearly appears since the very first minute of the opener "L'Antefatto". Vintage keyboards never become too loud but build up dreamy soundscapes along with some sparkling and sparse electric guitar's incursions as in the interesting "La Foresta degli Elfi Alati". The band clearly takes inspiration from the classic, from the softer side of Le Orme to the medieval-folky vein of Angelo Branduardi and even remebering famous proto-prog acts such as The Moody Blues (the band also played in some tribute cds).

As I said, the album is generally more symphonic than folky but the most peculiar thing does not lie in music or in arrengements. The unusual alternating between singing by Franco Violo (ex Asgard) and narration by keyboardist Giancarlo Nicorelli. The story is about the imaginery journey of a medieval knight and it's important to remember the guest appearence of Aldo Tagliapietra (Le Orme's voice and bass player) who provides recitative vocals as the spirit of the Livenza river in the "La Piana dei Temoli del Livenza".

All in all a relaxing opus with no harder parts, despite some "serious" electric guitar playing in "La Foresta degli Elfi Alati" (as I said) and in "Lo Scontro". Keyboards are never bombastic.

P.S. this is the first record to be published under the "Locanda del Vento"'s label which was thought by the lizardrecords' boss as containing the gentler side of italian contemporary prog bands.

A nice one that surely will please many.