LOGOS

This debut by Italian act Logos showcase a highly talented band, with the creation of intriguing, atmospheric moods placed in quirky compositions with myriads of breaks and minor as well as majord changes in style, sound and pace as specialties.

Symphonic prog seems to be a sort of foundation for this outfits explorations; as layered keyboards and synths are central elements throughout; most times used in a symphonic manner. Sometimes as the backdrop for a song or a segment; but most times given a dominating role throughout as main melody provider and mood creator.

The piano gets the pulled out on a few occasions; and the organ even more so; although the latter is used in a more subdued manner while the former gets to dominate quite a bit - even if used less extensively.

Clean, undistorted guitar licks adds textures and nuances to the songs; a few riffs and power chords are utilized to create darker atmospheres on occasion, while the guitar soloing mainly is of the atmospheric, melodic variety which ios a specialty in symphonic progressive rock music.

The songs themselves have a sound that do remind a bit of Eloy at times; but with much stronger symphonic leanings and more complex compositions in general. And of course with a distinct Italian flavour; a certain melodramatic tendency that is a constant factor on this production.

The sound quality and mix of this release is a poor one though; in terms of quality we are talking a demo of the old-fashioned variety in this case. Fuzzy sounding at times, instruments lost in the mix on occasions, some noise pollution and many cases of long pauses between individual segments in a tune. And the two long compositions here, although consisting of many compelling segments, also have some that feel glued in rather than naturally belonging; a case of limited possibilities when mixing these tunes I'd guess.

Still, it's a good release. One that ideally should have been re-recorded and/or remixed; but the ideas and moods are strong enough to make this an interesting production as is too; in particular for fans of symphonic progressive rock.

Logos is an Italian prog band from Verona that was formed in 1996 by Luca Zerman (keyboards), Alessandro Perbellini (drums) and Fabio Gaspari (bass and guitar) as a cover band of Le Orme. Later guitarists Massimo Maoli and Andrea Dossi joined the band (although Andrea Dossi only for a short period) and they started to work on original compositions. In 1999 they released a first self produced eponymous album that was recorded in two weeks with the help of two friends, Simone Chiampan and Tommaso Carrara, using a 8 tracks analog recorder in a home-made studio. According to the band, all the tracks were recorded "live" and there is very few overdubbing. As a result, the sound quality is very far from perfect but at least you can appreciate the freshness of the compositions and the good song-writing...

The opener "Il grande fiume" (The great river) is a long suite that reminds of Le Orme. It begins calmly with keyboards in the forefront and a "mysterious" atmosphere, then comes in a repetitive bass line and the rhythm goes up and down until vocals soar upon a classical piano pattern depicting a river slowly flowing towards the sea... Lyrics were inspired by Hermann Hesse's novel "Siddharta" that tells about the spiritual journey of the protagonist to reach the "enlightenment". After many troubles, he at last finds his way by listening to the murmurs of a river... There are many changes of tempos and moods, but the music perfectly fits a subject where joy and pain walk along the same spiritual path that leads to awareness... "Time passes by and doesn't forgive / The empty days of a sad age / While the old man is still learning / Why to live, why to fight / If life wins against you...".

"Arc en ciel" (Rainbow) is a short dreamy ballad with a beautiful melody featuring keyboards and strummed acoustic guitar... Imagine to be on the outskirts of a forest with some friends when the dark is falling. Near a bonfire your eyes mirror the nature and you can talk to each other about the future and about the past until the morning comes... Well, more or lees lyrics are about this.

"Sentiero nel prato, porta dell' universo" (Path on the lawn, door of the universe) is a long track that starts with an acoustic guitar arpeggio and then develops with fiery organ rides and delicate piano passages. Lyrics tell about the loss of a child in a poetical way... "It's not a star nor a fire that far light / It becomes just a little point in the universe / Until you can't see it anymore...".

"Un giorno..." (One Day), is another good track about an impending journey towards the unknown while "In una nuova terra?" (In a new land?) is about the come back from a journey in the space. In these tracks you can find slight echoes of Le Orme and Franco Battiato... An alternate version of "Arc en ciel" concludes the album.

The album was self produced with poor means, self distributed and in 1999 it couldn't reach a "large audience". I really hope that in the future the band could re-release it with an improved sound quality. Anyway, for now you can listen to it and legally download it for free from the official myspace page of the band (www.myspace.com/logosmusica). Have a try! I'm sure you won't waste your time.

I was very much pleasantly surprised with this album, mostly because I got it for free, but don't let the price fool you, this is good stuff. I don't speak a lick of Italian but there are very nice vocals throughout the album and when it comes to instrumentals these guys are very good at it. Overall though, the reason I like this album is not because of the quality of the release, it's because of the atmosphere it gives off. It is at times spacey, (Like Pink Floyd not Kevin Spacey) but sounds very much like Yes or PFM. The 17-minute Il Grande Fiume is an excellent example of this feel and the thing that sticks out to me on this track is definately the piano playing. Un Giorno gives off that atmosphere too and well... I guess all the tracks do but it sticks out more on those two. You'll know what I mean when you give the album a listen, and go ahead because it is free on their website, along with their sophomore release.

Wonderful atmospheric symphonic

Logos is a very accomplished symphonic prog band from Verona Italy, active since the mid 1990s. They have released two good albums to date and are currently working on their 3rd as we speak in 2009. They are quite impressive across the board from composition to performance. The first album seemed most influenced by the masters of classic RPI like Orme and Banco, while the second album seemed to get a bit heavier and more eclectic. I'm quite excited to see where they go with their 3rd album which is the first to be written in this mini resurgence of provocative RPI we are seeing around us---I believe this band has much potential to deliver something wonderful. But back to this album, their debut. Recorded in Verona in the spring of 1998 on 8-track analog equipment, the self-titled Logos featured 6 tracks including one 17 minute epic. The music is really pretty wonderful stuff, combining the qualities of good RPI and symphonic with a bit of neo tendency I believe, in the attitudes of the synths. There are also plenty of straight piano runs, acoustic guitar melodies, buoyant vocals, and impressive rhythms. Lots of generally upbeat atmospheres pervade the background of Logos and all of the musicians quite carefully choose their parts, there doesn't seem to be much left to chance here. Keyboardist Luca Zerman actually did the artwork for both albums. I just love it when the band does their own artwork. It's another little glimpse into the musician's personal lives and so much more meaningful to me than some fancy corporate designed crap that comes with the latest big release. I actually prefer this more laid back debut to the more adrenalized follow-up but am just shy of 4 stars. Logos is a very good RPI band and you can download both albums for free from the band's official site.

Logos' history starts back in 1996 in Verona,when keyboardist Luca Zerman, bassist/flutist Fabio Gaspari and drummer Alessandro Perbellini formed the band,later to be joined by Massimo Maoli and Andrea Dossi on guitars.Initially they started as a Le Orme cover band,later to focus on composing their own material after the addition of the two guitarists,while they played numerous live shows in the meantime.1998 sees the departure of Dossi and the group moved on as a quartet, self-releasing their self-titled debut the same year.

The album is highlighted by the soft Symphonic Rock/New Age 17-min. suite ''17-min.'',obviously influenced by the likes of LE ORME (grand piano parts), PFM (acoustic textures but also somewhat plastic-sounding flutes) and FOCUS (in a few almost jazzy guitar parts) with some nice electric solos as well.The two short ''Arc en ciel'' pieces are absolutely fantastic with grandiose symphonic synths and sensitive vocals leading the way.The 10-min. ''Sentiero nel prato, porta dell' universo'' is heavily influenced by LE ORME and heavier bands like BIGLIETTO PER L'INFERNO with a modern touch,where calm lyrical acoustic parts are alternating with heavy organ-driven passages to produce some good progressive music along the way.''Un giorno'' is sort of modern Symphonic/Psych/Neo Prog in the vein of ATON'S and SITHONIA with guitars on evidence and romantic vocals.Finally ''In una nuova terra?'' follows the same vein: Soft sung parts with a Classical touch switch into complicated instrumental music with complex bass, furious piano lines and obscure synths.

Logos' debut will not win the prize of the most talented band or the most ground-breaking album of the year,but their music is demanding and captivating despite the flat production with strong roots on 70's Classic Italian Prog.If you are a fan of the style,this album is more than recommended.