FILORITMIA

FILORITMIA i'm sure would be listed under Heavy-Prog if they weren't Italian. This is their debut album from the year 2000. I'm not a fan of long albums and this hits at around 79 minutes. My thoughts are if your going to make a double album or one this long it better be really good all the way through. Rarely is that the case. And this is no exception. Lots to like here though, especially the drumming, bass and guitar work. The vocals are ok but nothing more.

"Al Buio" opens with a music box as reserved vocals join in. It kicks in before a minute. Contrasts continue until it settles in around 2 minutes to a fairly powerful soundscape. I like the organ and bass 4 1/2 minutes in. "Rapporto Occasionale" features music that sort of stutters if you know what I mean. Love the bass. Again the music is powerful. Theatrical vocals after 4 minutes and the guitar before 6 minutes is excellent. "Il Mago" is my favourite. It opens and closes with this crazy laughter. The heaviness kicks in quickly with piano. A calm with acoustic guitar after 2 minutes and reserved vocals join in. Piano then takes over before it kicks back in. Some nice guitar after 5 minutes and some passionate vocals too. More great guitar later along with organ and drums.

"Fiato Sul Collo" opens with melancholic paino as fragile vocals join in. It kicks in with drums before 1 1/2 minutes. Great sound 3 minutes in. Fantastic guitar before 6 1/2 minutes that goes on and on until the song ends. "La Mappa Del Tempo" opens with some incredible bass and the drums and guitar are intricate. Vocals and organ follow. Bass and paino 3 1/2 minutes in then the guitar rips it up. "Dirti Di No" opens with some atmosphere. The tempo picks up after a minute with vocals. Nice organ section before 6 minutes. "Per Essere Felici" begins with reserved vocals and piano before it kicks in around a minute. It settles as contrasts continue. I like the drums and bass here. "Questo Inferno" is a top three for me. It opens with piano until the bass takes over. It kicks in before 1 1/2 minutes as vocals join in. Some good guitar and organ on this one. I like the drumming late. "Anima" has quite the drum intro before we get a full sound with vocals. Nice laid back guitar 2 minutes in. The tempo continues to shift. "Epoca Lontana" opens with about 2 1/2 minutes of instrumental music before the vocals arrive. The drums stutter like on the second track. Piano 4 minutes in. Check out the drumming 5 minutes in and the bass a minute later.

A good album but nothing special.