MINSTREL

A soaring power-symphonic feast

What talent on display! Minstrel is an Italian band who began in the 90s and released this gem in 2000. It has been described by others as a rock opera and it certainly sounds like it in places, but it also just a very good heavy symphonic prog album. Based on the famous play "Faust" it is a dramatic feast of amazingly talented vocalists, especially the lead man Mauro Ghilardini who just has this booming operatic voice that would bring any room to their feet. It unfolds like a typical play with various scenes acted out with narration and superb vocal interplay. The music I described as soaring because it really does have that dramatic, larger than life, emotional feel to it. It is like Fiaba in that theatrical sense though much more symphonic than folk-metal. There is a slight metal edge here only in the guitar playing of Michele Savoldelli, who perhaps was influenced by 90s prog-metal guitarists. But the metal edge is only very slight in the occasional solo and sound of the chug. Mostly the guitar work is just very lush and dreamy, the solos delivered with great emotion but very disciplined restraint. As powerful as this music is there is always a good balance of light and heavy, and no musician ever gets carried away or selfish. For an independent project the quality of the composition and production are truly top notch. My only complaint is that it might be too good on that front, perhaps a bit over-polished and precious at times. In need of a bull or two in the china shop.

"emphasis laid squarely on classical melodies, operatic vocals and rocking guitar solos....high on drama and very operatic in nature, but not succumbing to the worst excesses of that genre. The music is gentle and romantic, with delicate acoustic guitars and subtle orchestration from the keyboards. Michele Savoldelli plays neo-classical solos with remarkable restraint, having all the technique but none of the arrogance and bluster of so-called "masters." Gianpaolo Pasini provides powerhouse backing on the drums, but always knows when to step off the gas. The whole piece is thoughtfully constructed, with plenty of contrasting sections, and includes some nice clarinet from Guiseppe Peracchi for that added authentic orchestral touch." -Dave Sissons, DPRP

This was a Tszirmay recommendation and he gave the album 5 stars. I can't go quite that far personally, but Tom is right as usual that this album is a gem. It will please all fans of melodic, high class, heavy (and romantic) symphonic progressive rock. The booklet provides nice liner notes and dialogue but only in Italian. This is an indie production distributed by a small label, so my advice is to get this sooner than later if it sounds interesting to you. It may not be around forever.

This happens to be another magical/mystical and seemingly underappreciated Italian prog masterpiece from 2000. Allegedly, a new album has been due for a while ("Moby Dick") but until the hen lays the egg, "chick" out this one! Minstrel brazenly tackle the Faust epic (made famous by both Goethe-the book and Gounod-the opera, both stalwarts of the artistic world). After a brief spoken prelude so typical of opera, the story kicks off with utter splendor as "Bellatrix" unleashes an immaculate vocal melody, "Splendi Ancor" sung by keyboardist Mauro Ghilardini , compounded by an astounding guitar rampage by Michele Savoldelli. What an entrance and an outright prog classic! "Mefistofele" introduces Satan's famed envoy with a searing ensemble riff, elevated by a massive aria that will make you shudder (this Mauro can wail!), huge synthesizer sweeps, ornate piano colorings and an explosive fret lead. When Faust and Mephisto (voice of Davide Ferrari) face off vocally, you know that you are witnessing rock-opera at its finest! "Il Castello" fuses wicked guitar arpeggios with majestic piano flourishes, with Mauro's powerful voice booming with unrivaled emotion over almost Brian May-ish guitar blasts (I joke not!), buoyed by some resilient organ/synth/harpsichord embellishments. The title Track "Faust" is the piece de resistance, a singularly genial lead melody with Mauro now singing in German, with Giorgio Sala adding Pater Estaticus' role and Mephisto adding his devilish temptation and bellowed laugh while Satan watches perversely amused! The finale now escalates in fervor, with Mauro's Faust pleading desperately. Unexpectedly, the next verse is sung in English (Shakespeare Love Sonnet n39), with heavy guitar fueled barrages galore, pile driving the story forward! "La Neve" introduces an ensemble vocal work, with individual solos (the voluptuous Margherita) and some additional stellar axe exaltations. When the two vocalist exchange arias, the goose bumps finally make their entrance, the ideal duet for one of the most stunning vocal melodies ever tracked by rock musicians(a return visit to "Splendi Ancor"). The narrator brings this amazing work to roost, piano delicacies drawing down the velvet curtain. 5 damned souls

Here's a great album from 2000 by the Italian band Minstrel. It turned out to be their swansong, just another promising one-shot band from Italy!

1. Preludio (Una Selva Una Storia) (1:20) : This one contains spoken words in the Italian language.

2. Atto I, Scena I: Bellatrix (5:28) : The start is with twanging acoustic guitar, typical dramatic Italian vocals and wonderful keyboards. In the end a splendid 'finishing touch' featuring a fiery and very compelling electric guitar solo.

3. Atto I, Scena II: Mefistofele (8:55) : This track delivers an exciting tension between the acoustic piano and propulsive electric guitar. Also very moving is the acoustic guitar/piano interplay and a moving guitar solo, supported by a beautiful string sound. The final part is bombastic, in the great Italian progrock tradition!

4. Atto I, Scena III: Il Castello (6:52) : An up-tempo rhythm with fiery electric guitar, then a mellow part with piano, moving electric guitar and soaring keyboards. The vocals are great and the 'grand finale' carry you away to a progwalhalla!

5. Atto II, Scena I: Faust (9:49) : The intro features bombastic keyboards, then a mid- tempo with echoes from mid-Genesis, remarkable is the wah-wah drenched guitar solo.

6. Atto II, Scena II: La Neve (7:52) : First twanging gitars, dreamy vocals and mellow kebyoards, then a compelling bombastic atmosphere delivering a wonderful electric guitar solo.

7. Finale (Ogni Viaggio) (4:17) : This one only features piano and spoken words.

ANOTHER OVERLOOKED ITALIAN GEM!

www.progwalhalla.com