ASRAVA

Really interesting music offered on this sophomore release by Italian proggers Logos.

Symphonic progressive rock is the name of the game on this one; no surprises there. Dampened guitarwork partially in the shape of slick riff patterns and drawn out chords and partially in the shape of mellow melodic or acoustic guitar licks are used to provide nuances; a driving and distinct bass line underscores guitars as well as other instruments, the drums are hard (but not heavy) and effective. Synths, keyboards and organ dominate though, from the mostly careful dampened organ textures to majestic, floating keyboard layers as well as dark atmospheric synth and keyboard sounds placed below anything else in the mix.

Flute and trumpet - if I hear correctly - are added in a few tunes to add some more variation as well as some wee sonic surprises.

The overall sound owes quite a lot to the 70's, and often made me think of Eloy at the time of their Silent Cries release. There's a certain Italian bravado on this one never present in the German bands production though, quirky compositional structures and a dramatic flair to vocals in particular, and some funk-influenced segments along the way too.

The longer compositions aren't functioning as well as they could, a few too many instances of different pieces not included as well as they might have been; but on the other hand there's loads of really captivating moods explored; with the band arguably at their best when combining floating synths, careful organ and drawn out dark-sounding guitar chords for some real intense atmospheric parts.

The most surprising fact about this release and this act is that they aren't to be found in the catalogues of labels like mellow or Musea though. Although not perfect it's an intriguing and captivating creation Logos serves it's listeners; and one that deserves to be released by a record label.

There's always something in the mid 90's Italian Prog Scene that bothers me a lot, the dated keyboard sounds/the shameful sound of drums, I really don't understand some of the things recorded in this particular time of decade, the bands wanted so bad emulate the 70's sound, but most of them just don't have equipement or structure to record their sound nicely, some of them had great writing skills, but most of them...

'Prologo' is no diferent, the 'spacey' keyboards gets me a little bored, and I think it's too long for a 'prologue'.

'Ezra Pound' has this awful sound that I talk about, drums and keyboards working in a bad way, and the guitar doesn't help them, the unique saviour is the bass, a nice warm/rickenbaker alike sound, and I really like this kind os bass sound, but, in the second part of the song he ruins his sound with a Wha emulator, and the keys on this particular part is no different.

''99' has once again the terrible Wha bass sound, I really don't understand why use it so much, and the keys is like a like to call 'barbacue sound' (don't ask me why). The vocals from Fabio Gaspari (responsable for the strange Wha bass sound too) is quite good, that once old mood we well known for the Italian bands. But I really like the last part, where keys really reminded the 70's (around 07:00), but in the sequence they come back with the 'poor' sound, sad. But once again, the vocals from Fabio are very good.

'La Leggerezza Della Libertà' is a calm ballad commanded by acoustic guitar.

'Ásrava' is a 'rock drive song' as you wish. The mid part is almost a 'funk', flutes included! But if it makes your head shake it's OK. Nice guitar solo and nice trumpet solo too, really nice.

'Terra incognita', very nice start here! Full of atmospheric sounds, waterfalls, dreamy keyboards like in Tangerine Dream, warm sound, I really can't tell why the guys don't explore more of this sounds at that time, the following is just the same. The vocals full of effects is not a bad touch, Fabio have a really beautifull voice, I think that the band could (at that time) invest more in this line of sound, it could be the best for the band.

'Epilogo' have a nice melody line, really nice with cool vocals, worth for an album ending, but, way too late for save this record!

All my reviews included here and in my website had some optimistic point of view, I like to see the good side on all the music I listen to, but in this one is quite complicated, cause it have the most things I dislike in Prog scene. And for people who didn't listen to their music yet, or wanna listen with own ears just chek out this link www.maolimassimo.free.fr/Logos/Engmp3.htm this record is available for free download at their website.

After the interesting but immature eponymous debut album, between August 2000 and February 2001 Logos recorded their second effort "Ásrava". It's another self production but the sound quality is definitively improved if compared with the previous work. The line up featured Fabio Gaspari (bass, acoustic guitar, nylon string guitar, vocals), Massimo Maoli (electric guitar, acoustic guitar, nylon string guitar, pedal steel guitar), Alessandro Perbellini (drums, vocals) and Luca Zerman (keyboards, vocals). You can find on this album influences of artists like Le Orme. PFM and Franco Battiato, but the band managed to add a touch of originality mixing new ingredients with the classic "Italianprog" style.

The album opens with "Prologo", a symphonic instrumental introduction featuring a multiple overdub of keyboards. Next comes another instrumental, "Ezra Pound", full of energy and well balanced changes of rhythm and atmosphere, from symphonic to funky...

The long and complex "'99" is about the fear for a nuclear disaster... A nightmare where the protagonist dreams to fall asleep in the footprint of a dinosaur and to wake up alone in that peculiar and gigantic cradle. The music is good enough but vocals every now and again seem to be a little insecure...

"La leggerezza della libertà" (The lightness of freedom) is a beautiful short acoustic ballad featuring acoustic guitar and keyboards, "not too delicate, not too simple"... Next comes the title track, a long instrumental featuring a trumpet solo where rock, funky and jazz are blended in an original way.

The mysterious "Terra incognita" (Unknown land) is about the discovery and conquest of a new world in the name of a king that will come to upset the quietness of a beautiful savage nature. Clear melodic vocals alternates with distorted ones while music gives a sense of impending tragedy... "When on the first of these new days / The sunset will come out from its hiding place / It will cover with darkness a new world / The World of the new Kingdom".

Last track "Epilogo" (Epilogue), reminds of some works of Franco Battiato of the Eighties and features just keyboards and an acoustic guitar solo... "Wind and snow play together / Ten children run after each other in the empty square...".

On the whole an interesting work. The album can be legally downloaded for free from the official website of the band (maolimassimo.free.fr/Logos/Engmp3.htm), so... have a try! At the moment, after many troubles and line up changes, Logos are working on a new album: I'm looking forward to listen to it!

A refreshing modern prog outfit

Logos is a band from Verona Italy who began in the mid 1990s and despite line-up changes over the years, remain together to this day (2009). They sport a variety of both English (Crimson, Genesis) and Italian (Orme, Banco) prog influences, have a good history of live shows, and have performed both covers and originals. At this time they have two studio albums under their belt and are working on a third which is due in September 2009. This second album is my first experience with Logos and I remain impressed with their chops and the variety of styles played with assurance and ease. There seems to be a bit of something for everyone with "Asrava" and it is an easy recommendation for most fans of prog-rock.

"Asrava" took me many plays to warm to, initially it struck me as a bit too "all over the map." I felt like I did about quite a few of the 90s Italian bands that had a certain synth sound and compositional style that did not move me like the classic RPI sound, nor like the warmer organic sound of current day heavy hitters like Il Bacio della Medusa. After spending the time necessary to absorb Logos the beauty of these compositions began to come forth. There are so many different places they venture here that trying to describe the sound is very difficult. What came to mind were the epics of Phideaux through the Italian lens of the band Minstrel perhaps, with a bit of DFA's fusioney muscle, maybe Gourishankar in the frantic moments, and still a dozen other bands. All of these various and different feelings are held together by occasional touches of characteristic RPI, but are not ruled by them by any means. The album flows like an adventurous musical story with a stately, dramatic opening of synths and gongs-enough to conjure the feel of the "2001 Space Odyssey" theme. The energetic rock and heavy riffs of "Ezra Pound" give way to the album's anchor, the 10 minute epic that is "'99." Here Logos really push and pull every lever and button, taking us on a wild ride. An apocalyptic moment in the middle leads to a quiet break from which the guitar comes back with a repeating motif. This is followed by a lovely classic organ interlude and "painted sky" guitar strokes, very nice. After a short, lovely acoustic interlude the final three tracks feature spirited instrumental feasting and some dynamic creative crescendos. "Asrava" is almost "jam-band" in feel, more Phish than Orme, finally breaking into a delicious trumpet part near the end. The entire band deserves praise for these performances-at times the production could be better as could the transitions, but these are fairly minor quibbles for me. (Also as much as I love the snare drum it is mixed a bit too high, too frequently.) A special tip of the hat to the bass player who is just gonzo at times, playful and bold, but without tipping the boat. "Terra Incognita" is the final track before the closing "Epilogo." This track seems less coherent than the others, drifting between a mid-paced synth rock and quiet contemplative moments where they should have remained, though it features a nice guitar solo. The closing is very beautiful and creates a nice "bookends" feel along with the formal opening.

In my eyes "Asrava" is a very good album but not the best album Logos will make. All of the potential is there. I believe their growth will continue and have big hopes for their new album coming later this year. But I can recommend "Asrava" without hesitation to prog-rock fans who enjoy a varied and muscular sound. It will not disappoint. 3 ½ stars

It's always nice when a package of new CDs drops through the letterbox, but nowadays there's no shortage of free downloads out there if money's a bit tight in any given month. One such freebie is ''Asrava'', the second self-produced album by modern Italian band Logos that's available via their website. ''Asrava'' comprises a diverse mix of styles (prog, jazz, electronic, etc) that makes for a rich and interesting tableau, in my opinion a bit like Finisterre's ''In Limine''.

The album begins in reflective mood with ''Prologo'' but its hypnotic pattern of moody electronics is soon swept away by the loud and rhythmic ''Ezra Pound'', a hard-edged instrumental that's driven along by irregular funk-fuelled beats. On the following track ''99'' the lyrical content apparently deals with the anxiety associated with the risk of a potential nuclear accident. It reminds me melodically of Hackett-era Genesis although rhythmically it has a more modern feel in places, having something of Anglagard about it. This song's complex structure and slightly tentative vocals successfully create a sense of turmoil, accentuated by some doomy choral effects and the eerie organ that smoulders away in the background. It's an ambitious idea for sure but the guys in Logos manage to pull it off with some aplomb.

The short acoustic ballad ''La Leggerezza Della Liberta'', which sits at the album's midpoint, is the most straightforward song although it's none the worse for its simplicity. The instrumental title track follows and it takes on two main shapes, the first led by forceful bass and drums while the second culminates in jazzy flute and trumpet solos set against backdrops of spacey guitars and synthesizers. There's even more diversity in store with the tapestry of sounds that make up ''Terra Incognita''. It opens up with effects of gushing water, while a robotic spider's web of vibrating electronics continues to weave its way across the entire track. This track also benefits from some excellent guitar play, undercut with ghostly choirs and psychedelic organ. The dreamy ''Epilogo'' is a pleasant little postscript of nylon guitar and synthesized strings to close the album.

Logos is one of the most exciting new bands I've discovered here during the past twelve months or so. However given that I'm listening to this album so much it's a major source of frustration not to be able to buy a hard copy of it; the fact that you can download it for free is really of secondary importance to a dinosaur like me. I'm hoping that any future releases by this band will be available in CD format. Perhaps Black Widow, or someone, could sign them. Of course Logos may have other ambitions, but I definitely think their music deserves the attention of the record labels. ''Asrava'' is a mere whisker away from being a 5-star album, so if RPI is currently the one true love in your musical life you really should check this one out.

The second album from Logos and another free download from their website.

The band skilled up and took a lot more technical approach on this album than on their debut album. The result is a sometimes jazzy and complex album. This album is also a bit of a heavyweight compared to the debut album. The vocals are still superb though and carries the album to a large extent. The sound is typical Rock Progressivo Italiano. So is the songs too. There are some quiet pastoral sounding melodies here too. In short; this album has it all.

.........Almost.....

What is missing is some truly great songs. There are some great melody lines here. But they are a bit scarse on the ground, I am afraid. This is still a good Rock Progressivo Italiano album and well worth the free download and megabytes.

3 stars

Apparently Logos had written material for more than one CD and their next move was to record down these tracks for an instant follow-up to the debut.Among the tracks having a definite shape was ''L'enigma della vita'', which was not recorded at the end and appeared only 13 years later on Logos' third album.Meanwhile the band stopped any live activity to focus on rehearsing the songs and the process begun in August 2000.Just one month prior to finishing the album Fabio Gaspari left the band to dedicate himself to acoustic music and he was replaced by Simone Chiampan.In August 2001 the second album ''Asrava'' finally saw the light.

Already from the beginning and the deep, grandiose, synth-driven orchestration of ''Prologo'' the listener can feel that something special is going to follow.And the taste is sweet and spicy.''Asrava'' appears to be one of the most well-hidden gems of Italian Prog in the 2000-10 period, a masterful work of symphonic-oriented Progressive Rock, much more personal than the band's debut and composed with a palette of powerful colors, intense arrangements and edgy performances.Their vastly keyboard-based sound on ''Logos'' has been replaced by a more balanced, instrumental team with plenty of room for some great guitar moves and solos.But the synthesizers and organ are still present to offer delicate moves and impressive runs and solos.Their slightly heavier style combined with the smoother instrumentals and the poetic atmosphere during the vocal sections bring to mind a cross between LA MASCHERA DI CERA and CONSORZIO AQUA POTABILE.The tracks are long and fascinating with splendid, Italian-flavored melodies, bombastic moments with keyboard/guitar interplays, plenty of tempo switches and an unmet lyricism with superb, emotional Italian vocals.Logos sound now much more symphonic and demanding that a couple of years ago and the album has been taken care in each of its details.Lovely acoustic segments, some dark church organ monstrosity and a Medieval-like Classicism complete the new face of the band, resulting a monumental album of the Italian Prog scene.

Most authors passed by this album at the time of its release.Do not turn your back on this.Italian Prog at its best, rich, grandiose and sensitive at the same time, no less than highly recommended.