ALCONAUTA

PROPHEXY is an Italian band who issued their first album back in 2003. One year later they appeared on a King Crimson tribute album released by Italian label Mellow Records and got positive reactions for their contribution to this project. When the band issued an EP in 2006 it lead to them winning a contest hosted by the "Acid Jazz" magazine. Come 2008 and Prophexy self-released their debut full length album "Alconauta", presumably anticipated by many. Later they were signed by UK Division Records, who will officially release "Alconauta" in July 2009.

It's easy to see why this band have made a name for themselves. They cover most musical bases, mixing in everything and the kitchen sink in a spicy musical gumbo, yielding quite a few surprises and with many innovative features. Experimental art rock following in the trail King Crimson have spearheaded in their career is some sort of a foundation here; with disharmonic and dissonant elements utilized as effects alongside arrhythmical sounding segments and unexpected compositional developments. A plethora of different styles are mixed in to this more or less basic structure, from folk-tinged elements a la Jethro Tull to organ heavy excursions Deep Purple style, from space-tinged elements closer to Hawkwind in sound to flurries of punk-inspired moments and even some brief visits to Iron Maiden-inspired moments. And not unexpectedly; there's quite a few jazz-tinged elements in these ventures too.

Two aspects of this album quaffs my enthusiasm for the final product though. First and foremost, the songs are generally too chaotic. Normally I really like tracks that move from segment to segment, especially when the flow of the composition is as well done as in this case. However, I do like to get a chance to get to listen to a segment or a theme before the next one appears; and on this production the band too often for my liking choose to move on rather too quickly, introducing the next part of a track while the approach made in the one just played out barely has had the time to register. Secondly, the vocals tend to distract too much at times. Matteo Bonazza has a generally strong and melodic voice; but tends to dip into melodramatic, almost operatic delivery on occasion - reminding me of a young Bruce Dickinson but with less restraint. This latter aspect of the music served is an element quite often found in Italian rock though; and is arguably more of a local cultural aspect than a peculiarity of this act alone. Still, it's a distracting element for me; and one I don't think fits in well on quite a few of the occasions when it is utilized.

Overall this makes for songs pretty aggressive in approach; frantic and chaotic in sound and overall style as well as development. Experimental art rock with a punk attitude if you like.

Prophexy is an act that have gathered all the right elements to be able to make wonderful and innovative music; but lack the compositions that allows them to utilize them in an interesting enough manner. When that is said, I can see that this will be a production that will have an audience appreciating it. Fans of the more aggressive side of avant garde art rock may find this album interesting; and I find it probable that the sheer aggression of this production might make it appealing to fans of prog metal as well; in particular those who are fond of the more complex excursions of that genre.