1998 - LA STORIA DI SABAZIO

TRIADE's "La Storia di Sabazio" is often an overlooked gem from the golden age of Italian progressive rock bands. TRIADE were a highly talented 3 piece ensemble who some have tried to compare to ELP's style (Although some similarities may exist, I do not subscribe really to this opinion). This album contains some solid instrument usage ranging from cello to grand piano and without a question the heavy use of analog keyboards. Originally released in 1973 on the now highly collectible Derby record label, Si Wan have done a wonderful transfer onto CD. In my opinion TRIADE carries the musical influences of Italian greats RDM and PFM in many ways , especially the music featured on side two. If you love piano and analog keyboard driven Italian prog then "La Storia di Sabazio" is for you. Speaker separation is quite good and the reproduction from CD is superb..

Overdose of classical music among some minutes of progressive. Not to mention that the album has only 30 minutes duration. I disagree with the first review: This album is not a ELP style album.. TRIADE try and achive to play some minutes like ELP but the majority of their music consist of classical elements.... There are plenty of other REALLY progressive groups to come in touch before meet TRIADE

This is an obscure Italian trio that made only one album. Their music is keyboard driven progrock with strongs hints from the classical music and ELP (organ and synthesizers). The combination of the bombastic keyboards and the acoustic guitar sounds very pelasant. The pieces featuring strings and rhythm-guitar are really breathtaking. The running time is just over half an hour but here you can say: quality above quantity! A FINE ALBUM, as fellow reviewer James Unger also mentioned, rather overlooked.

To say the Emerson Lake & Palmer were highly influential in Italy would be the under- statement of the decade during the 70's: not only were Le Orme, and Banco DMS, but countless lesser-known bands that recorded just on or two albums at the time. Amongst which Triade (named after the Chinese mafia), a keyboard-dominated trio (from Florence) whose sole album was released in 73 on a small label named Derby. While there has been three different reissues, (Si-Wan, Vynil Magic and a MMG-Warner issue), none give out any kind of info (legible to this writer) as to whether this album is a concept album (but most likely it is) and they are obviously augmented by at least one string player (a cellist is sure), which could be the bassist.

All the tracks are composed by the Nobile-Coccimiglio team (if you can consider the many classical borrowings composing), and while their sound is obviously derivative, there is nothing shocking, and is often more agreeable than their masters of thinking. A four-part sidelong suite Sabazio, which sounds like a collage of direct classical influences, takes up the first side. The keyboardist uses mainly an organ, and his playing resembles a bit late XIXth century Romantism/Impressionism School (from the French Debussy to the Russian Prokofiev and everything in between), so I find it rather tedious as it seems to be taking its blueprint on The Nice's Ars Breva Vita Longis and the Five Bridges Suite.

The flipside however present more interesting side as three of the four tracks are sung, even if it starts a bit in the same mode than previously with Il Circo. Espressione starts on a poorly-chosen synth sound (only because it sounds like cheap synth of nowadays), before a very pleasant-sounding voice and an acoustic guitar with a piano give a welcome breathing space to the formula organ-bass-drums interspaced with a few cello lines. Next is the pleasant (but definitely lifted) Caro Fratello, which happens to be again not following the typical song format, and is the highlight of the album. The finale happens to be the other title track (and there is a hint that this song might have come out as a single with the Fratello track) not as good as the previous two tracks but still holding its own.

While not essential on a historical or even national scale, Triade's only album (and a very short one at that, clocking at less than 30 mins) is a sure bet for ELP lovers and certainly surpasses anything Triumvirate has ever done. Clearly saved by the more personal tracks of the second side, this album is rather honest but still very derivative.

"...Sabazio is still everywhere...with his six eyes he looks to the Universe" (yes, he is the who from the cover...)

The classic italian prog scene is a uninterrupted joy for the many fans and aficionados. There are many obscure gems that after the decades return to light, little by little. Thanks to BTF records and to other small but important labels of the genre.

Triade is one of those typical groups from the seventies: they only managed to released one album. The high standard of quality was not enough for them to go on with their career. How many times I've listen to "what a pity". And this is the case also.

They are obviously related to ELP 'cause, basically, Triade are a keyboards based trio very influenced by classic music. Differently from them, though, they do not focus on strong interplay between keyboards and rythmic section, being more interested in more melodic interludes with very inspired and mellow bass lines, wonderful cello. Acoustic guitar a la Greg Lake is also an important part in the album's construction but less in the ballad-mood as he did.

The unique negative remark that every reviewer has pointed out is the short running time of the album (slightly more than 30 mns!). BTW, this is not a great problem, I think, when music is very good.

The album opens with the instrumental mini-suite "Sabazio", builded up on four sections strongly inspired by classic music like they were a true piano-cello-guitar classic trio. Hammond organ and moog carefully alternating with the more acoustic and intimate interludes.

Side A close with "Il Circo" which is another instrumental (short) gem with an interesting alternation between a joyful keyboard ride and a more dramatic and pompous ending.

Side B features the best contribution of Triade: "Espressione" (wonderful interplay between piano and acoustic guitar, beautiful), "Caro Fratello" (strong interplay between keyboards and rythmic section, exciting!) and "1998".

Wonderful melodic italian symphonic prog with warm vocals and inspired lyrics.

To mention that this band has a deep "ELP" root is a euphemism. Very few Italian bands have gone that far in the genre.

The album opens on a four pieces suite made of short parts which are rather loose from each other. While the first three featured all of the "ELP" splendour with lots of powerful keyboards, the last one is fully classical.

"Il Circo" is again very derivative of the masters. Still, the music displayed is pleasant if not original. There is hardly an Italian feeling felt here so far. The music could as well be played by a Japanese band since "ELP" has also be used as a major source of inspiration in this country.

To prove me wrong, the delicate "Espressione" has this Italian flavour I like so much. Beautiful acoustic guitar with Spanish accents and for the first time on this album there will be some vocals. The best song out of this work since it is more personal.

This travel in a more original music will be short. The next "Caro Fratello" is plunging again into the "ELP" world, but not only. After a typical intro, sweet vocals again are supported by a gentle acoustic guitar. The song will be hesitant between these two type of input. Not bad at all, should I say.

And it is already time for the closing number! 1998. The longest track of this album. Again the influence of the Emerson style keyboards is less present (which is a good point IMO). It sounds as a medieval song at times but it is extremely melodic, even romantic (but I can't depict the lyrics, so maybe they are not as romantic as I think).

This band definitely shows some interesting abilities while they performed their own music. It's a pity that they didn't do it more on this album (one could have afforded some eight to ten additional minutes of music here) and that they will never prolonged the experience by another album since this is the one and only from Triade.

Three stars.

A rare and unique album that up until a few years ago was a mystery, as with some other early Italian bands the identities of the musicians were not certain. But now they are known thanks to the work of some good sleuths. Triade were from Florence and came together to make this keyboard saturated album in 1973. The band also opened dates for PFM and Banco but broke up shortly after this release like so many other Italian groups. The album was split into two halves: Side 1 was an entirely instrumental and heavily classical suite of keyboards written by Coccimiglio, while side 2 was more typical classic Italian prog written by Nobile. Because of this the album does lack a certain overall cohesiveness but it certainly has some nice moments. Furthermore the sound and production are really pretty good for '73 thanks to the efforts of noted producer Elio Gariboldi.

The "Sabazio" suite is quite simply a classical music and keyboard lover's dream. Organ, piano, cello, bass, and percussion drive the piece. I suppose in spirit it could be compared to keyboard-heavy Italian albums like Rustichelli Bordini, Toto Torquati, and to a lesser extent Tower but Triade has its own charm. The cello gives parts of the suite a dark heaviness. The drum playing is quite good and this keeps the piece moving well. Some of the piano portions are simply gorgeous in the fourth part. The suite is an enticing and elegant piece of music. I'm not sure how good it is in comparison with classical music as my knowledge in the classical realm is quite limited. But I certainly find it appealing. "Il Circo" is quite a shift to a rocking beat and heavy organ but it works. "Espressione" sounds more like typical classic Italian with synths, acoustic, and piano leading to warm, pleasant vocals. It's the softer and more romantic side of Italian like early PFM, in this case with no drumming. Great piano song and nice acoustic work that would appeal to anyone. "Caro Fratello" is similar to "Il Circo" being an uptempo rocker with the organ, but here it expands to include mellotron, acoustic guitar, and the mellow vocals. Nice jamming early with organ, drums, and some pretty good bass playing that you can hear perfectly in the mix. Bands that actually know how to mix the bass so you can hear it get points from me-it's sad how so many bands now bury the bass and have the drums too loud. After the vocal section it ends with a dramatic organ run, this is a very cool track. "1998" begins with a wash of acoustic strumming panned back and forth in the stereo spectrum. Soon the gentle vocals, bass, and drums are back and then well played acoustic sections mix with nice keyboards. All of the music on side 2 is rather upbeat in mood, not really dark or heavy. This is Italian that aims to please musically more than it aims to shock you or push your buttons. It ends rather abruptly but at least not as a fade-out!

The album takes much heat for not being very original and perhaps it isn't in the sense that people note ELP influence, but in another sense it is somewhat unique. While perhaps not a thorough representative of the complete Italian sound the dual nature of the two sides does provide an interesting experience to me. I also find the sound to be expressive without being overly, intentionally gaudy, which is nice sometimes even though I also appreciate those kinds of albums too. I do agree there are more well-rounded Italian classics you should own before getting to this one but I personally find this quite enjoyable. It has spirit and high quality performances throughout. For classical music buffs and keyboard nuts this album is recommended, for others there are other Italian classics to check out first. 3 ½ stars, round up if you're an Italian fan, round down if not.

Nice album of this obscure Italian band. I like very much de 70 decade in Italia and this work is very good. Very classic album with lots of piano in classic mouvements in first tracks. The classic atmosphere change sometimes to other contexts with a organ sound, that i like very much, and change the classic music to pure Rock Progressivo Italiano. We cand find in some parts a litle fusion jazz atmosphere with organ and drums in a fast context but very good. The guitar parts give a litle folk atmosphere. The voices are in Italian in some more fast parts in music. We can find lot of context changes, that made a good work of this band. I like very much this album and it's a very good adiction in a Progressive Rock Collection specialy for who like Italian progressive Rock. I give 4 stars but realy 4/5 stars.

An unjustly obscure Italian progressive, keyboard-based trio in the vein of Le Orme or Triumvirat, with a unique inclusion of electric cello in the instrumentation. Definitely not a weak sister or poor man's version of those more popular bands. The music is cerebral and intelligent, and full of feeling-not all that much vocals, but vocals done very well when called for-with incredible feeling and emotion. This album is a masterpiece-listening to it, you will be startled that this music could go so unnoticed, but I guess in the seventies in Italy, Triade would have had a lot of competition. It also did not help that there was very little information given on the musicians who played on this album.

Like early Triumvirat, all aspects of their music are really endearing and special to me, and fit together really well- just as good as Le Orme, and that is saying something! The keyboard work is especially well done, and the keys player must be a seasoned veteran-believe me, it shows in his professional delivery. The drummer and guitarist are no slouches, either; with their technique, they hold their own, and then some!

Quite a few of the tracks have no vocals at all, but that does not detract from things, Triade can hold your interest, instrumentally-such a beautiful and fulsome sound they create.

Side one of the lp is instrumental, only, and as a band, the musicians play tight, creating quite an impressive, exciting sound. There is some music for solo piano, as well, which is quite beautiful and emotive. It is on side two of the lp that vocals are included. Though i don't know Italian, i can appreciate it being sung like in Triade , in such a lyrical way.

I am so glad that i stumbled across this gem, as it is hard to come by. One of the finest of the seventies Italian progressive groups-obscure,or otherwise. If you like seventies, keyboard based prog trios, check this album out-you will not regret it. I give it five stars, unhesitatingly.

TRIADE released just this one album back in 1973. They were a trio of keyboards, drums and guitar / bass. We do get some cello and there are a variety of keyboards offered. This is a rather laid back affair without the usual dynamics associated with the RPI genre. Vocals are mellow and the instrumental work is far from bombastic. It's taken some time for this music to "stick" with me and yet at the same time I like the style here even if it isn't that dynamic. It's sort of dark and melancholic much of the time.

The album opens with a four piece instrumental suite called "Sabazio". Part 1 has a mellow beginning with floating organ. Some life 1 1/2 minutes in as cymbals and cello join in. It kicks in at 2 minutes with keyboards leading. Part 2 has this pulsating organ with bass and drums. A calm 2 minutes in as we get a spacey mood. Part 3 features drums, pulsating organ and cello. It settles after a minute to a haunting soundscape then it kicks back in but more powerful than earlier. Part 4 is a dual keyboard piece at times.

"Il Cirio" has lots going on as keyboards and drums standout. Organ comes in too. "Espressione" opens with floating organ and acoustic guitar. Piano replaces the organ 1 1/2 minutes in. Vocals for the first time on the album arrive a minute later. Synths after 4 minutes. "Caro Fratelio" has some impressive organ work on it early in this uptempo track (for a change). Some nice bass too. It settles before 2 minutes with mellotron-like sounds, acoustic guitar and reserved vocals. Organ before 4 1/2 minutes takes over to the end. "1998 (Millenovecentonovintotto)" opens with strummed guitar. Vocals a minute in then drums after 1 1/2 minutes as it picks up. Great instrumental sound after 5 minutes.

Barely 4 stars but I think it's worth the rating. A nice change of pace actually for an RPI release.

An obscure RPI album from an obscure band.

Very little is known about this band and they released only this album. Which is a pity because this album is a bit of a gem. A bit.

The first impressions of this album is that the band must have been listening too much on ELP. Although ELP is quite an influence here, I would rather listen the likes of Trace and Triumvirat as influences. But Triade has a lot more to offer too. There is even some hints of Zeuhl here too. The ELP/Trace/Triumvirat adulations dissipates on many songs here and leaves a perfectly good RPI album. This album has a lot of faces and angles.

The quality of the songs are good throughout. Unfortunate, my gripes is the lack of any truly great, memorable songs and also the lack of an identity. This is very typical ills of a debut album from a band not quite sure what they want. There are some great melody lines, but not enough to make this a great album though. But still.............

3 stars

A criminally short album and yet another victim of the "one-album-wonder" curse, 1998: La Storia di Sabazio is a respectable offering but not one I reach for often. Emerson, Lake & Palmer comparisons aside, Triade actually reminds me more of Latte e Miele than Le Orme. Comparisons to all of the above are easily made as the album is fairly derivative, but more by wearing influences on its sleeve instead of a strictly hero-worship kind of way. The second side is the more original of the two, and probably more listenable as well. The longish title track in particular will be a breath of fresh air to even the most cynical RPI apologists, as it presents a different take on the sweetly melodic and romantic genre to which it belongs. 1998: La Storia di Sabazio is a good album, but not essential or even necessary.

Triade was a bit of a mystery for many years, as the original Derby LP did not specify the band members' complete identities, only pictures and songwriting credits. Luckily this situation was resolved in 2003 thanks to the tireless research of Augusto Croce, which in no small part led to the CD reissue on BTF/AMS two years later. The wonderfully recorded album begins with a side long, instrumental suite: "Nascita" kicks things off with dark organ and cello overtones, before drums and bass conspire to attack in a classically-inspired fashion; "Sabazio: Il Viaggio" is silly at first, but turns far more sinister as tritone intervals dominate the harmony between bass and Hammond - some nice melodic synths transition to the next movement; "Il Sogno" features cello in a more obvious way, and to good effect before bass and keys piddle along to interrupt; "Vita Nuova" uses classical music as a framework for this pleasing piano composition; "Il Circo" recapitulates many of the previously used elements in a more aggressive way.

"Espressione" begins the disparate second side, which largely abandons the organ-bass- drums format in favor of lush keys, acoustic guitar, and vocals. I could definitely handle an album's worth of this material, but these 16 minutes will have to do. "Espressione" is a joy and the best example of traditional RPI on the album. "Caro Fratello" regrettably returns to an ELP impersonation for the first two minutes, but is luckily saved by airy synths and guitar for its duration; drums enter toward the end and give the song a pensive, driving feel. An extended organ solo closes the track. "1998 (Millenovecentonovantotto)" is a worthy closer as it does the best job at integrating these various elements - the classical musicianship, singer-songwriter vulnerability, and gentle tension - into a cohesive concept and one that finally works, at least for these six minutes. 1998: La Storia di Sabazio suffers from a case of quality over quantity, as the former is abundant...there's just not enough of it to go around.

Florence-based Italian trio Triade evolved in early-70's out of the group Noi Tre, where bassist Agostino Nobile played with Franco Falsini of Sensations' Fix and Paolo Tofani of I Califfi and later of Area.He worked then at the Space Electronic in Florence, where he met 18-years old keyboardist Vincenzo Coccimiglio.The two of them started playing together and with the addition of Giorgio Sorano on drums they found Triade.They were picked up by producer Elio Gariboldi and got signed instantly by the Milan-based Derby label.In 1973 their debut ''1998: La storia di Sabazio'' was recorded at Rossi Studio in Milan and came out with the artwork being drawn by Sorano's wife.

Triade was yet another keyboard-driven Prog group, which has been compared to E.L.P. and LE ORME, but their music was rather darker and more in the vein of IL BALLETO DI BRONZO and CORTE DEI MIRACOLI with extreme organ workouts followed by haunting orchestral textures and surrounded by sinister bass lines and metronomic drumming.The music is mostly performed on Hammond organ with plenty of haunting solos, atmospheric breaks and of course strong Classical-spiced interludes.Half about of the album, which is quite short (30 minutes), is dedicated to the sidelong ''Sabazio'' piece, which features great organ performance and impressive bass work all the way through until the romantic piano-led outro.The rest of the album shows some diversity with the addition of vocals, acoustic guitars and Moog synthesizer, passing from virtuosic solos to calmer textures and maintaining a strong symphonic attitude.Here comes the more balanced side of the trio, which now eventually recalls LE ORME, trying to offer more sensitive playing in a Symphonic Rock enviroment, full of piano lines, laid-back synth flashes and romantic Italian vocals.

As Gariboldi moved to Munich, new producer Lombroso asked the trio to retuirn with a more commercial album.Triade refused and this was the beginning of the end for the band, which played numerous lives next to P.F.M., Banco Del Mutuo Soccorso and Franco Battiato before fading out.Vincenzo Coccimiglio came close to joining I Dik Dik, but he eventually became a bar pianist, travelling all over the world.He sadly passed away in 2012.Tino Nobile remained also involved in the music industry, lived for some time in Los Angeles and eventually settled in Madeira, working as a composer and author.

Dramatic and dark Symphonic Rock in the vein of IL BALLETO DI BRONZO.Triade never really surpassed the challenging sound of similar sounding Italian bands, but their sole document is so well-played and pretty atmospheric that is worth investigating.Recommended.

1973's `1998: La Storia di Sabazio' by obscure Italian prog trio Triade is something of a best kept secret in progressive music circles. A lavish and ambitious classical flavoured tour-du-force, their sole barely thirty-one minute gem is often considered a near-masterpiece by those who adore it, and the rest...well, they just haven't heard it yet! The easiest (if laziest but not entirely untrue) comparison would be a sound like Le Orme crossed with Emerson, Lake and Palmer to cover the first instrumental side, but the flip reveals a collection of exquisite, possibly even superior vocal pieces to make the album the complete package.

Part of the reason the album maintains a great reputation is the continuous twelve minute, four-part `Sabazio' instrumental suite that occupies the first side, reminding a little of the title track opener of Le Orme's `Contrappunti' or keyboard heavy Italian albums like Rustichelli & Bordini's `Opera Prima' (but without the dirty menace!). The bass, keyboard and drum trio dart through a fleeting array of eclectic (and maybe even a touch schizophrenic!) symphonic themes, with the opening a brewing caress of organ ambience and Giorgio Sorano's rising cymbals about to explode, and after a searing implosion the trio tears through some bombastic and frantic little maddening bursts that sometimes hold a maniacal, light gothic glee. The third part `Il Viaggio' offers Agostino Nobile's lurking murmuring bass and calming reflective moments via glorious shimmering organ dreaminess, and the closing section `Vita Nouva' is a final showcase of fancy classical piano prettiness. It's staggering to think that keyboardist Vincenzo Coccimiglio was only 18 years old at the time this was recorded, because, despite a couple of the themes not being quite as fully developed as they could have been, his playing shows so much energetic precision and lightness of touch when necessary.

But, oh...the gems that still await on the second side...`Il Circo' is a final vocal-free moment, a short and peppy little instrumental rocker, but potentially the album highlight is `Espressione', a gentle acoustic guitar ballad that also holds dreamy whirring keyboards offering the lightest of elevating symphonic themes, where pristine piano and Agostino's warm tender voice takes the piece and album overall to another level. The wilder `Caro Fratello' opens as a propulsive rocker that pulses with thick grumbling bass, aggressive swirling Hammond organ and relentless drumming before floating into the sweetest of mellow acoustic symphonic atmospheres and another soothing Agostino vocal. After some jangling acoustic guitars spiked with an soft uneasy tension and urgent drumming , closer `1998 (Millenovecentonovantotto)' turns more uplifting with joyful humming synths in the final moments that perhaps brings the album the closest to a Premiata Forneria Marconi-like moment.

The lack of electric guitar puts Triade in the company of other obscure Italian groups such as Corte dei Miracoli (whose self-titled sole work from 1976 is equally as essential), and you can even hear their influence on terrific up-and-coming younger Italian bands like Kalisantrope. It's a shame they were only to deliver a sole album before vanishing, a curse that befell quite a few Italian acts at the time, so it just makes this dynamic and relentless mix of ravishing instrumental and charming vocal pieces even more precious. Once you've moved past the big names like the Banco's, the P.F.M's (actually two bands that Triade supported live in concert in their short time together) and the Osanna's, etc, it's time to start delving into the rich selection of more obscure Italian works, and there's no better example of a very special one than "1998: La Storia di Sabazio".

Five stars

(and be sure to check the Italian Prog page for wonderful interviews with both Vincenzo and Agostino, who recalls a lovely moment supporting Banco del Mutuo Soccorso - http://www.italianprog.com/a_triade.htm )

The way I got hold of this album is somehow odd and peculiar. There was a jazz sale in a prominent record store in my hometown (called Waidele, now defunct). As I searched through the CDs with moderate interest, this particular prog album happened I suppose mistakenly to be a part of it. The big problem here is I didn't know of any Triade. I had to use all my intuition, knowledge and assumption. Study instrumentation, album cover, image, line-up and everything imaginable. Luckily I was convinced about that it wasn't a pure jazz album. Very luckily. As I got home and listened to it it quickly became a huge favorite. Actually music can't reach much higher than this.

ELP line-up right off, but without the occasional electric guitar. Raw Hammond sound from the earth cellar, gentle acoustic guitar and unmistakably Italian vocals. I haven't access to the music where I am now writing this so I can't comment any individual songs. I remember the relatively short running time but that's not a big deal. We never got a follow up album to this low-key masterpiece and will never know if Triade would've competed with the other big names of Italian prog scene.