UN'ALTRA MANO DI CARTE

If this album had come out in the early 70s today we would still be talking about it, it would have been a masterpiece. Listening to "Un'altra Mano Di Carte" today brings to mind the best albums by LE ORME and BANCO DEL MUTUO SOCCORSO, but not only, here we are faced with a symphonic prog of excellent workmanship. Lovers of this genre will love this album from the first listen. However, it is 2025 and for those who do not appreciate this music enough, this album will sound kinda dated. LIMITE ACQUE SCURE (that means "Secure Water Limit") with "Un'Altra Mano Di Carte" (Another Hand Of cards) give us six tracks of excellent progressive rock, really well played to the point that the curiosity to see this band live is certainly not small. Anyway, I do believe that, even though this year has just begun, this album will most likely be among the best prog productions of 2025.

This band from Ferrara put out a 2022 debut album that was met with both high ratings and positive comments from the community, and well deserved as they had been a Banco tribute group which helped them hone their considerable chops, having paid their dues for 17 long years. They have now just launched their sophomore release, and it is fair to say, that a new milestone has been reached. These 'ragazzi' form a well-oiled 'squadra' that plays offensive minded prog, with little holding back or kicking the ball around without purpose. Every detail is crisp and emotive, the pace endlessly varied, and the technique flawless.

"Joker" is an urgent prog tornado, a whirling dervish opener that has all the tastiest ingredients for a full-blown magnum opus in the making. Colossal riffs and thunderous beats combine to blow away both any rust or dust, a strangulating bass carving up any opposition, and a male vocal flow two Italian steps from Gentle Giant in tone, the chorus devastating and agreeably pompous. The piano and harpsichord whip out a couple of aces, the harmony choir vocals provide a series of red queens, a bluffing drum package to outdo all the odds, and a final full house to take the tokens to the cashier and venture off into the night. Deeply rooted in the RPI tradition of blending Italian folk, medieval music, prog and storytelling of the highest order, "Il Raconto di Juan della Sua Terra" submits to this thrilling style with a fervor only a couple of 'espressi corti' could fuel. The crisp Luca Trabanelli electric guitars, the somersaulting drum patterns of Paolo Bolognesi, a wicked reptilian bass courtesy of Francesco Gigante and Antonello Giovannelli's over the top keyboard showmanship keep the audition breathless and inspirational. Intertwined with acoustic guitar, punchy piano and Andrea Chendi's evocative singing, the spirit and mood of the often-brutal Spanish conquest of America are maintained at the highest level, a true team effort that puts music into a story with operatic zeal.

Inspired by the first Christmas of World War 1, the stately 10 minute+ epic "Natale 1914" suggests a sombre mood that needed to be galvanized by the tradition of family, so very steeped in Italian lore, in order to overcome the horror of the Great War and its interminable sacrifices. An homage to the millions of young men, dying in a variety of gruesome ways, from mass artillery, bayonet charges, exploding mines and even mustard gas attacks that choked the life out of many a conscript. Ambra Bianchi adds her celestial soprano wailing to a colossal main theme that is nearly eternal, the cobra bass coiling like rolls of barbed wire, the insistent Trabanelli guitar phrasings are irresistible, as the roar of war collides with the serenity of a truce between belligerents, this is just plain wonderful music. E basta!

A piano etude reveals the beauty of this instrument on the grandiose "?Non il Bergerac", with classy dual vocals as both Ambra and Andrea share the microphones. The overarching chorus sets in firmly as the arrangement rises into a massive anthem, every note perfectly placed, the pace resolute and the instrumental soloing blowing the roof off, a slippery synth blast followed by a bellowing axe explosion, the gears constantly shifting like the famed prancing horse known worldwide. A little traditional accordion canzone feel to finish off. Bravo!

The lovely Ambra takes over the vocally commanding "Chita", a poignant narrative of female emancipation and the long suffering of abuse that woman had to endure, being viewed as second class citizens. The central melody is bombastic and heartfelt, the piano and guitar dancing with each other in complete partnership, with a constant ebb and flow that keeps the foot squarely on the accelerator. Her final scat /wail spot is an absolute album high point, not too far from legendary Clare Torry territory, as Bolognesi syncopates a la Bill Bruford underneath with athletic gusto.

The thunder and lightning reappear on "Storie Perdute ", a rousing lesson in quality prog composition, stamped with equal amounts of vigor, contrast, mood, and passion. There is even a whistling section! Each member gets to extol the virtues of their capabilities, such as the duality of organ and mellotron, allied in work ethic, while the rhythm section wreaks havoc at every turn, like a controlled race with countless obstacles.

Already in January, with 11 months to go, this vital work has already been anointed (and added) to my very best list of 2025

5 dealer decks

Let this wash over you. Don't listen too hard, especially at first. With deep analysis, there's only a little new here (there is some, cool!), but what it does, it does so well that it works beautifully as a great example, and a modern one at that, of Rock Progressivo Italiano.

Think, if you had never heard Banco and you heard this, I believe it would hit you quite powerfully and artistically. Yes, it is a bit neo but if done well, Neo tends to come off like a rebirth of classic car with all the modern gadgets and essentially looks quite similar, yet if look closely you will recognize it is a remake. Something is a little different, a little less authentic about it. Actually this "neo" quality is a strange phenomenon. It always reminds me of Stravinsky and his neo classical, not in terms of the music but that peculiar "Neo" quality, if you will.

This is all to say that this has grown on me and I feel safe and entertained. Perhaps, being as they continue, and I certainly hope they do!, they might embrace some of the great Modern Classical Composers (Berio, Nono, etc) who had a distinct flavor and vibe that identified them as something uniquely Italian. I think Banco played with this a bit, but it would maybe break the music away from some of the slightly lame songwriting aspects. Go Bold! A nice addition to any modern library.

GOOD NEWS FOR THE MANY ITALIAN PROG LOVERS!

The new Italian band Limite Acque Sicure was founded in 2005, in the northern part of Italy. In 2016 they turned into a six-piece formation, with members from different origins and horizons, from metal to fusion, from classical to rock, but this is precisely the secret of their formula. In 2022 I wrote about their eponymous debut album (see review) the following. "I am impressed by this new Italian prog band with their first album, these are excellent musicians, with interesting different musical backgrounds, what a chemistry, I am already looking forward to their next effort, highly recommended!"

Band info. "In this new work we have adopted a theme, the concept is telling of life experiences by characters. The record is a metaphor for the randomness of fate, which assigns each person a specific story, a particular path in life. It is different from our debut album, here on Un'Altra Mano Di Carte" we tell stories, of marginalisation, of distant (perhaps false) memories of a better life, of abuse. Stories of reflection on wickedness, stories of rebellion, of shots of pride."

Joker : The first composition on this new Limite Acque Sicure album contains a lot of shifting moods and a varied instrumentation. From a spacey synthesizer intro to a bombastic outburst with howling wah-wah guitar. From a slow rhythm with pleasant Italian vocals to dreamy with tender piano sensitive electric guitar and a celestial female voice. In the second part the sound gradually becomes more bombastic, culminating in a compelling climate with a church organ sound, a Minimoog solo and Mellotron choirs, backed by a dynamic rhythm-section, wow, what a start!

Il Racconto Di Juan Della Sua Terra : This track features the more pastoral side of the band featuring an Angelo Branduardi kind of folk sound with flute, acoustic guitar, tender piano and orchestrations. In between a sumptuous eruption with a synthesizer solo and fiery guitar solo, this adds dynamics and musical contrasts to the music, one of the trademarks of the band.

Natale 1914 : It starts with military drums and a tin-whistle sound, then a slow rhythm, in a dreamy climate with melancholic vocals and piano. Gradually the sound turns more lush featuring moving guitar, emotional vocals, another pleasant, very compelling atmosphere, topped with delicate synthesizer and guitar interplay. Halfway through is a a fiery guitar solo, then a mellow part with acoustic guitar and intense vocals, finally the unsurpassed Mellotron joins, what a tastefully arranged track.

Non Il Bergerac : The intro contains a wonderful classical piano solo, next tender vocals and piano, turning into a slow rhythm with sparkling piano, beautiful. Halfway through a mid-tempo with a flashy synthesizer solo. In the second part a mellow atmosphere with a moving electric guitar solo, gradually the mood shifts to a heavier sound. Finally sound effects and a melancholic accordion.

Chita : This long composition features excellent female vocals, she has a wide range and lots of power. The atmosphere alternates between mellow and bombastic, embellished with piano, guitar and accordion. In the final part a kind of Arabian singing, turning into an opera voice, pretty hypnotizing, but also adventurous.

Storie Perdute : The final composition delivers an awesome vintage keyboard sound with powerful Hammond organ and majestic Mellotron choirs, in a bombastic climate with propulsive drum beats, a sparkling piano interlude and a sumptuous outburst featuring heavy guitar with wah-wah. Often Le Orme comes to my mind, also due to the wonderful male Italian vocals.

WOW! What a wonderful second effort, highly recommended, especially to the fans of 70s Italian prog, like Banco and Le Orme.

RPI gem

Un'altra Mano Di Carta by Limite Acque Sicure is a stunning album that showcases the band's ability to blend emotional storytelling with refined musicianship. The album is very accessible, drawing listeners in with its warm sound and heartfelt performances. It's also incredibly melodic and beautiful, offering a lush listening experience that's both comforting and thought-provoking.

The first track is solid and sets the tone well, but it's the remaining five songs that really shine. Each of them brings something special?whether it's a soaring chorus, a delicate instrumental moment, or a powerful vocal delivery. The album is dramatically performed, with real intensity and feeling in every note, and it's all nicely recorded, with clear, rich sound that highlights the emotional depth of the music.

This is the kind of album that grows on you with each listen, revealing new details and resonances. A truly rewarding release from a very talented band.

4.4/5