THE EXPERIENCE

Rather uncommon, as this Rock Progressivo Italiano album has hit me right with the first contact, the first minute. Compositional skills, symphonic touches, strings, the folk impression due to the flute, impressive guitar chords and diversified keyboards all over. Thus I would say 'The Experience', even being totally instrumental on this occasion, turns out to be a very typical genre album nevertheless. And then, according to a prog listener's view maybe, also perfectly suitable for a first contact concerning foreign beings arriving from another planet? This brings us closer to the album's concept now. Which actually deals with Galbat, an imaginary entity, who has decided to explore our physical world, for what reason ever.

Compared to the prior album bass player Paolo Perilli does not sing anymore. Why? Communication not feasible through words? And I have serious problems to deal with the cover image, rather ugly for my impression. As one might expect, this probably is reflecting distressed experiences with some exemplars of human beings that creature has encountered. That would also mean that this nice piece of music wasn't enough to convince Galbat in the end? Anyway, the detailed story may reveal more, is included in the CD booklet, which I do not have at hand yet. LAVIÀNTICA obviously intend to provide food for thought. And a lovely atmosphere throughout furthermore, for example you also will stumble upon some interspersed sea rushing, birds twittering and ambient patterns again and again.

Daniele Sorrenti has joined, who will add more richness to the sound due to flute, vibraphone and minimoog. Keyboards are prominent anyway, as Luciano Stendardi and Paolo Musolino furthermore both are serving for lots of piano lines, organ swirls and symphonic patterns. The Journey marks a perfect opener crossing the ten minute mark. They are processing a varied and very charming kind of prog, warm, melodic, though not chumming up to mainstream on the other hand. 'The Experience' represents a real RPI highlight, an album which easily meets my preference. This works at best in one go, as the songs are fading into each other. Confirms my preference on bands hailing from Italy.

A sublime evolution from neo-prog past

This is cool! Laviantica is a veteran band from Rome active for over three decades now. While they have roots and influences deep in the past glories of those old neo-prog bands, they have done a remarkable job of moving that ball forward into a fresh and modern progressive rock that doesn't feel at all dated.

And as an added bonus, this is a fully instrumental album that is engaging as hell. Not for a second will you miss some dude blathering personal opinions on geopolitics or spinning a yarn about another plate-mailed knight heading into battle in the realm of Norvelle. Instead, this album is a dream for fans of melodic instrumental rock, with all players having more-than-adequate space to evolve idea after idea.

Despite the lack of vocals, there actually is a story told in the CD/LP booklet. The Experience is a "concept album telling the journey of Galbat, an imaginary entity coming from an immaterial space, who decides to explore our physical world." What I loved so much about this 40-minute instrumental journey is simply how genuinely effective they were at being compelling without a singer. The music and melodies themselves pull you right in and affect you emotionally.

Well-constructed keyboard and guitar passages are everywhere, while the only real "substitute" for a vocal is the frequent use of the flute. While Laviantica does not sound particularly like Mike Oldfield or Camel, the experience is similar. A very lovely and almost soothing melodic ride that carries you away, not unlike The Snow Goose or Ommadawn but definitely sounding more current if you will. Spain's Gotic is actually an even closer reference with the ample flute and punchier rhythm section, but, again, Laviantica sounding 2018 and not 1978.

There is so much going on here from symphonic to RPI to updated neo-prog to even folk and jazz-fusion elements. The 12-minute opener of "The Journey" followed by the 8-minute "Breathing Flower" is a one-two punch that should lock you in as a fan. Adventurous, flawless performance, but really it is the spaciousness and color of their songwriting palette that make this one of 2018's finest. I'm surprised it is not more widely known.