PREDA

A big thankyou to Finnforest who suggested I check this out. I believe Jim said it would make me wet my pants. Well thankfully that hasn't happened yet but I agree with you, this is one wild ride. I had their previous album from 1999 which was good but I honestly could take it or leave it.Then I heard the song they did in 2005 for "The Colossus Of Rhodes" project and man they impressed me there. So it appears these guys are getting better with time as this latest release from them really made my day everytime I heard it.

"Re Schiavo" opens with atmosphere and a sample of people speaking. Psychedelic guitar comes in with drums and more followed by vocals. Mellotron too then it kicks in. It settles back as contrasts continue. Piano leads before 4 minutes as it calms right down.Guitar comes in soloing before it kicks in one last time.Great tune. "Preda Part 1" opens with some exellent bass as drums and guitar come in. Funkytown ! Vocals join in then it turns heavier before 2 1/2 minutes but it's brief. It does kick in again only this time for a longer period. Some funky bass as it settles before 5 minutes. "Preda Part 2" hits the ground running with riffs then the organ gets a workout as drums pound. Synths add a spacey vibe.Piano before 4 minutes as the riffs continue. "Gabriel" is one of my favourite tracks. A top two for sure. It opens with liquid keys then builds quickly. Vocals join in. What a great sounding tune. The guitar rips it up 4 1/2 minutes in when the vocals stop. Love this track.

"Xoanon" is my other top two. A dark soundscape here to start. Very cool. Electronics as the guitar echoes in the night. Drums after 1 1/2 minutes then it kicks in after 3 minutes heavily. Nice. Organ 4 minutes in as the bass throbs and the drums and synths also impress. The electronics return as it settles. "L'Isola Di Sara" is fairly laid back and vocals come in after a minute. I really like the sound after 2 minutes when it all picks up. Contrasts continue. Beautiful stuff. "Sovrano Dell'Illusione" opens with piano as the mellotron floods in. Acoustic guitar and synths follow then reserved vocals. "Sovrano Dell'Illusione Part 2" is the longest track and it's a killer. Love how it sounds to start. It kicks in before 3 minutes before settling back with guitar that echoes. It kicks back in quickly with riffs and organ as the contrasts continue. Vocals before 7 1/2 minutes. Piano only 9 1/2 minutes in followed by mellotron. "Re Schiavo Reprise" opens with piano only as background samples come in like on the opening song. Vocals and a fuller sound takes over.

I've really grown to adore this album.