PASSIO SECUNDUM MATTHEUM

This album is very uneven and feels somehow unfinished. Half of the music borders on the divine, while the other half is quite forgettable. Still, the good parts are awe-inspiring and outweigh the weaker moments.

'Introduzione' starts things off with a heavenly operatic choir projecting over a marching beat. Heavy drums come in later along with some nice guitar work.

Alfio Vitanza's drumming is one the best aspects of the band's sound. His style is a combination of Carl Palmer and Keith Moon, and i'd dare to say he is as talented as either of them. I think this album would have been better if it was built more around his playing.

'Ultima Cena' is an interesting song consisting of a somewhat bizarre mixture of operatic vocals and frenzied ELP-ish drum and organ work. It ends with an excellent guitar solo.

'Getzemani' starts as a mushy romantic ballad which doesn't do too much for me. The following sections are more interesting; filled with golden celestial synthesizers and heavy (but all too sporadic) rolling percussion, and sweet twin guitar solos. It all moves by in a very peaceful and tranquil way, almost in slow motion.

'Il Processo' brings in more operatic vocals and features an excellent Moog solo. This is one of the greatest moments on the album.

The first part of 'I Testimoni' is very Jazz Fusion influenced and another highlight of the album. Driven by fluid jazz piano and excellent bongo-heavy percussion underneath an excellent fusion-style lead from the guitarist.

'Giuda' leading into 'Il Re Dei Giudei' is the best part of the album in my opinion... but i do find it very annoying that the best moments on this album are also the shortest. That is my main problem with Passio Secundum Mattheum: the best songs are too short and not allowed to develop while the weaker moments are tedious and too drawn out.

This album is certainly worth hearing and one of the best albums from the very early days of Italian Symphonic Prog... it's just not absolutely essential unless you're a hardcore Rock Progressivo Italiano aficionado.