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AUFKLARUNG
Neo-Prog • Italy
From Progarchives.com, the ultimate progressive rock music website
The name translates almost literally as enlightenment (naturally, this is a concept someone with the nickname of bhikkhu can get on board with). It also specifically refers to a philosophical/social/political movement that swept through Europe in the eighteenth century. Generally it is referred to as the Age of Reason. In Germany it was called Aufklärung. The band says that this movement was a cultural break, and they are making a similar break by revisiting a musical movement from the past. However, why a group of Italian guys chose the German form of this term is anyone's guess.
The band was formed in 1990 from members of a band called The Eclipse, and the prototype of AUFKLÄRUNG. The main lineup for the band would consist of Fabio Guadalupi on guitars, Marco Mancarella on keyboards, Michele Martello on guitars, Massimo Migini on drums, Luciano Rubini on bass, and Edoardo Lecci with vocals and flute. They recorded their first demo, "Jetho Van Hall" in 1990. By 1994, they had enough material for an album, and recorded "De' La' Tempesta ... L'Oscuro Piacere." Nine CD copies were made, and strategically distributed. One was given to collector Marco Barcarotti, who then made a tape for Alberto Nucci from Arlequins. Nucci then wrote an article about it. Elio Ribotta followed suit, and wrote an article for Nobody's Land. Nothing pays off like good press, and they were contacted by the likes of Vinyl Magic, WMMS, Pick Up, and Cygnus Records. That fall, the band was also honored to perform at the Amnesty International prog festival in Terni.
Pick Up records ended up releasing the album, but there would be a shake up in the band. Lecci had a problem concerning military service, and would only be represented as a flautist on the album. The lead vocalist for the band's only album to date was Asgard's Kikko Grosso. The current lineup consists of Marco Mancarella, Luciano Rubini, Massimo Migini, and singer Massimiliano Gargiulo. However, the group is currently without a recording contract.
Mancarella's description of the band and its music are quite eclectic, and philosophical. He also sites just about every style of music, and classic prog band as influences. My take is that you could probably narrow it down to somewhere between Genesis, ELP, the classic Italian bands of the '70s, and a touch of Pink Floyd. It may have begun in the '90s, but the sound is classic '70s.
H.T. Riekels (bhikkhu)
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- Il Funeralle Della Luna De' La' Tempesta ... L'Oscuro Piacere, 1995
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AUFKLARUNG discography of albums and videos
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AUFKLARUNG Albums (CD, Vinyl/LP, Cassette)
 3.68 | 30 ratings De' La' Tempesta ... L'Oscuro Piacere 1995 |
AUFKLARUNG Live Albums (CD, Vinyl/LP, Cassette)
AUFKLARUNG Videos (DVD, Blu-ray and VHS)
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AUFKLARUNG Music Reviews
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Aufklarung Neo-Prog
Review by
Menswear
Prog Reviewer
What if Genesis was played on a stormy day?You'll end up with this record. I did enjoy it the very first time, especially the flute/ acoustic guitar segments that reminded me what would Hackett sound like on heavy clouded day. I did felt a bit of sadness when I heard the singer with his very Gabrielish style of singing...well, another one to add in the voluminous pile. Some things are what they are; and lots of singers seem happy with imitating Peter. Why moan about it anymore? Why not simply enjoying it? That's what I thought, and it paid: I enjoy this record a lot.
The mood is set for a dark and stormy afternoon, a tad depressing I might add (apart for the second track! Sunny sunny flower and bee). The singer is melancholic, and so is the acoustic guitar/mellotron/flute combo. But in that gentleness sometimes lightning strucks with great riffs and keyboard solos (reminding Contagion of Arena at moments). The whole things floats rather gently and with harmony, without rushing the ideas or feeling like bits of copy/paste instrumental segments. Hold on, this is in the néo-progressive bin? Well, good classification or not, Néo-progressive never sounded that and profound.
I recommend this record eyes closed; it's easy to find, it's the only Italian band with a german name singing in English.
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(BETA) | Report this review (#208402) | Posted Monday, March 23, 2009, 13:40 EST
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Aufklarung Neo-Prog
Review by infandous
I got this album because I loved the singing of Grosso on the Asgard albums. Here,
however, he is much less powerful and evocative, and I get the feeling that the band
asked him to restrain his singing and to try hard to emulate Peter Gabriel from the
70's. I suppose, in that sense, he succeded somewhat. But to me, the singing lacks
conviction, passion, and fire which he demostrated so brilliantly on the Asgard
releases. In any case, the songs here are not bad at all. Something of a mix of
Gabriel era Genesis and more modern (for the mid-90's anyway) ambient sounds, as well
as some nylon string guitar and flute folkyness. I find Il Funeralle Della Luna to
be the most interesting song, with the final number being also fairly strong. But
the whole thing is pretty consistent. It sounds like a band that never had a chance
to grow beyond their obvious influences (mainly Genesis), but still managed to
develop something of their own sound. It would have been interesting to hear further
albums from them, but this is the only one. Most dissapointing for me would be that
this was the last I would hear of Grosso.An average album, only required for Asgard fans and proggers with vast collection. 3 solid stars.
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Send comments to (BETA) | Report this review (#80507) | Posted Tuesday, June 06, 2006, 08:48 EST
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Aufklarung Neo-Prog
Review by
Prog-jester
Collaborator
I must admit,this is not pure 5 stars album(4/5),but I like it very much.This is mixture of
MARILLION/GENESIS best era styles with a strong touch of Folk Prog (wonderful acoustic
guitars and medieval flute).Grosso sings in very Gabrielesque way,and I like this way of
singing! Despite few ordinary and boring moments,the whole album sounds very nice and
pretty symphonic.That's the music I like most!!! Recommended to all Neo/New Symphonic
devotees!
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Send comments to Prog-jester (BETA) | Report this review (#80492) | Posted Tuesday, June 06, 2006, 06:13 EST
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Aufklarung Neo-Prog
Review by
chessman
Prog Reviewer
I bought this after listening to the free download on this site. This album is an unassuming
piece which exuded surprising class. Yes, there are Genesis influences, especially the third
track, where the vocals are Gabriel-like, and the keyboards reminiscent of Mr Banks. But
the album stands up well in its own right. Track three is probably the strongest song here,
with wonderful keyboards, and a deliciously melodic ending called "Silence In The
Darkness". This is credited as an extra track on the cd, but belongs at the end of the third
song. Beautiful stuff this. The opener is also strong and, in fact, there is no weak tracks
here at all. Dominated by acoustic guitar, flute, and passionate vocals, this whole album
should be a pleasant surprise for anyone who takes a chance on it. Yes, some of the early
Italian bands come to mind as well, and even the quieter moments of King Crimson, but the
group have there own identity as well. It's a pity they didn't do a second album, as
anything as good, or better, than this, would have been quite special. A worthy addition
to any collection. Three stars today, but, on some days, worth four.
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Send comments to chessman (BETA) | Report this review (#44744) | Posted Monday, August 29, 2005, 14:31 EST
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Aufklarung Neo-Prog
Review by ziofulvio
to submit a review for this record is a great pleasure for me. In 2003 I've been member of
this band (unfortunately for a very few rehearsals) and I could appreciate the sound, the
groove, and their professional approach to anything dealing with music. De' la' Tempesta...
is at the same time the cause and the product of these skills. It's the essence of this ten
years old band, which nevertheless several line-up switching, keeps on going on the rails of
values like hard work (balancing music and personal jobs),honesty and professionality.
Keep Going Guys,Good Luck
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Send comments to ziofulvio (BETA) | Report this review (#41786) | Posted Friday, August 05, 2005, 21:07 EST
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Aufklarung Neo-Prog
Review by
Bryan
Special Collaborator Honorary Collaborator
Although they hail from Italy, Aufklarung is hardly a typical Italian prog band. Their songs
are lengthy and fairly complex, but as this site mentions, they're more of a neo-prog
band. And while there's nothing really wrong with their often very Floyd influenced sound,
there's just nothing really attention grabbing to be found on here at all. It's perfectly
decent prog with some interesting instrumental passages, but it falls into the same
problems that I find many neo-prog bands suffer from. It's just recycling other bands'
ideas without really doing anything new, which makes for a pretty boring listen. The
vocalist is mediocre at best. He's somewhat bland, and in his worse moments can even be
viewed as comical. I'm not sure what earned this band a recommendation on here,
because they're just doing pretty much the same thing a thousand other neo-prog bands
have done, and I fail to hear any of the magic that many of my fellow collaborators seem
to be immersed in.
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Send comments to Bryan (BETA) | Report this review (#1142) | Posted Sunday, January 30, 2005, 14:11 EST
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Aufklarung Neo-Prog
Review by
Cloud Zero
Prog Reviewer
Authentic masterpiece of '95, this Italian group counts within their kindlinesses with a
potent, convincing voice in English that despite my opinion of doesn't asking much from
itself, it shows character and personality, strength and beauty that suits perfectly the
versatile, exquisite taste the band expresses. AUFKLÄRUNG is like a painting of rich and assorted colors, where not only each one of them is individually beautiful, but where the same colorful textures are willing to show something that in a togetherness works out even perfectly.
"Il Funeralle Della Luna", the third out of the four tracked disc; is a majestic piece that right after been listened to leaves a dazzling effect upon oneself. This song takes the best out of each instrument played there and then it fuses them into ambitious atmospheres where you just can't stop amazing yourself over and over again.
The album is quite profound, containing as true meaning the fact of getting you introduced into fabulous passages marvelously intertwined that evoke a feeling of pure, truthful pleasure within yourself.
This piece of work is among the best productions I have listened to during the 90's, that as many other recordings of unquestionable quality, haven't had reached the financial success, and given the opportunity, you oughta purchase. Satisfaction guaranteed.
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Send comments to Cloud Zero (BETA) | Report this review (#1139) | Posted Monday, July 05, 2004, 01:30 EST
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Aufklarung Neo-Prog
Review by
James Lee
Special Collaborator Honorary Collaborator
I started "Red Shift" and was enjoying the fade in and ambient noises when (darn it!)
the singing started and made me giggle. There's a PINK FLOYD influence here and
there, especially in the chord progressions, and it's done with more personality and
restraint than several bands I've heard. That voice, however...shades of the overly
dramatic deep-throated delivery more common in 80's synth bands and goth-inspired
musical theater. And then the portamento-drenched synth wackiness...oh well, I'll keep
listening and hope the rest redeems them. Indeed, the classical guitar section is
delicious, with a pretty flute solo on top and delicate synth pads beneath, but then the
drums kick in and we're back in dramaville. Perhaps if I didn't understand the lyrics I
would be more impressed...short segway (remember the opening ambience on "Close
to the Edge"?) into the next piece, unfortunately titled "Jetho van Hall". Again, the
instrumental parts promise pleasant listening but the vocals let it down somewhat.
Bright and energetic passages, followed by heavier sections, followed by heavy and
energetic sections, all of which lack real heart. Hmm, he actually refers to himself
as "soulless" in this one- maybe it's all self-parody? Nope, they're probably serious. Nice
guitar solo though, Michele (or Fabio). The funeral of the Moon should be a perfect
topic for them, but "Il Funeralle" is less mournful and more off-Broadway experimental
theater-ish. They dig into metal tones and industrial sounds a bit here, even some semi-
funky guitar comping- showcasing the range of the band if nothing else. "Eclipse/ Echo's
Wave" starts with some warm, flowing analog synth, with the vocals sounding more
restrained (reminding me of Peter Gabriel near the end) but there's still too much
pomposity in the body of the piece. I would be interested in hearing the band with a
female lead singer; nothing would more dramatically compliment their backing textures.
The heavier sections would probably still sound too limp, but as it is the band is almost
past saving. One star for the guitars, and another for the nice intros and solo sections.
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Send comments to James Lee (BETA) | Report this review (#1138) | Posted Saturday, June 12, 2004, 16:36 EST
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Aufklarung Neo-Prog
Review by
lor68
Prog Reviewer
Probably one of the best Italian symphonic albums of the nineties, characterized by such great atmospheres, plentiful of powerful music passages and an exceptional intensity as well. The production as usual is not equal to the best modern production, because probably their budget was not so high!! Anyway the simple but powerful harmonic solutions of the guitars, enriched with nice keyboards, are worth checking out!! Highly recommended!!
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Send comments to lor68 (BETA) | Report this review (#1133) | Posted Thursday, April 01, 2004, 15:30 EST
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Aufklarung Neo-Prog
Review by
loserboy
Prog Reviewer
Now this is a defintive classic which needs to adorn your hearth at Christmas time! AUFKLARUNG blend a wide range of influences giving the listener a very original offering. Imagine a blend of TANGERINE DREAM, ASGARD and old GENESIS with just a dash of KING CRIMSON and you have AUFKLARUNG. For those who like me are avid ASGARD fans, please Kikki Grosso sings throughout the CD (enough for most to buy it alone!). This is a very dark and secretive recording which is very moody and forboding... obviously not for weddings!. Musicianship is high here and they create a very surreal sound led by the use of synths and guitar. This is one the gems from Pick Up Records and is essential.
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Send comments to loserboy (BETA) | Report this review (#1132) | Posted Saturday, March 06, 2004, 08:42 EST
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