...E IL SUO RESPIRO ANCORA AGITA LE ONDE?

This album from the Italian band GERMINALE is great example of modern Italian progressive music. Released in 1995 this is their second recording. This is a very proggy album filled with lots of tempo and mood shifts. Flute, piano and acoustic guitar are prominant yet there are many aggressive passages as well. Vocals are in Italian by the way.

"Il Gia Sentito E Il Non Ancora" is a short intro track with the sounds of waves and seagulls. Acoustic guitar and synths are followed by vocals. Very tranquil and beautiful. "Maggio" opens with flute as drums then organ joins in. Guitar comes in as it settles before a minute. Vocals arrive with piano. This all sounds beautful. It kicks back in with aggressive vocals. It settles again as flute leads the way. Organ 4 1/2 minutes in followed by reserved vocals and a calm. The contrasts continues. Just a great track. "D'Ombra,Vapori E Sabbia" is uptempo with piano and some excellent drum work. Organ and bass standout as well. Ok the drummer is showing off again 3 minutes in. Check out the guitar before 4 minutes as the piano tinkles away. I like the way they just seem to jam right to the end. Another good one !

"Eleonora" is a beautiful song with the rain coming down as acoustic guitar melodies are played throughout. Nice. "Le Onde, Respiro Del Mare" begins ominously before strummed guitar and bass take over. Drums come in then some loud synths. Spoken vocals 1 1/2 minutes in as they "rock out" behind him. A sudden calm 3 minutes in as acoustic guitar is played. Piano, flute then organ follow as the sound builds. Drums come pounding in and the guitar is soloing. Another calm as waves and seagulls can be heard again with piano. The tempo and mood shifts continue in this song. It ends ominously just like it began. Imressive. "Dioniso Inquieto" is my favourite song on here. The gentle guitar and vocals are simply breathtaking. Piano 1 1/2 minutes in joined by some tasteful electric guitar. Gorgeous track. "Malcreanza" opens with some Fripp-like guitar melodies that are very intricate as drums pound away. Synths come in followed by chunky bass. Vocals 2 minutes in. We get a jazzy interlude after 4 minutes which is a nice touch. Flute before 5 minutes. "D'io" is interesting with this man telling a story in English about the bars in California as acoustic guitar plays along. Spoken vocals take over as mellotron rolls in before 2 minutes. Our Englishman is back before it ends.

"Avant-Grado" opens with piano and flute. Synths followed by drums and a fuller sound.Vocals then arrive. The tempo picks up after 3 minutes with some killer organ. The contrasts continue between bombasic and pastoral. "In Aeternum Veritas" made me laugh the first time I heard it because our English gentleman is back telling stories as acoustic guitar plays along in this 1 minute track. This song (and album) ends with waves and seagulls just like it began. The bonus song is a cover of VDGG's "Meurglys III (The Songwriter's Guild)". These guys nail it ! Mellotron to opens is a nice touch, but it's the powerful organ and Hammill-like vocals that make this work perfectly.

Easily 4 stars, and another great modern Italian release.