1974

They sound quite american, with the double guitar like LYNYRD SKYNYRD or WISHBONE ASH, they have acoustic interludes like THE WHO, the vocalists are excellent, the music is loud and progressive enough with signature changer, sometimes odd and unusual, but listenable for every kind of ears. That's what I mean for "commercial potential".

There is a concept, too. It's a Sci-Fi story that started in 2011 with the band's first EP and will continue with the next album for which the band is currently crowdfunding.

This album has no flaws. It's a total listening pleasure from the start to the end. It's powerful but even with all the instruments at high volume it's also excellently mixed and produced. I'm used to enjoy it on headphones, but I suggest to let it break your speakers.

It's downloadable as name your price on bandcamp, so hurry up and get your copy. To me it's one of the best albums that I have listened to in 2013 and I'm still listening to it from time to time. (twice between yesterday evening and this morning, just to give an idea).

Can it deserve the status of "masterpiece"? I don't know, really, but I enjoy it a lot and I listen to it more often than to any recognized prog masterpiece, so for me it's a 5-stars album. I hope that sooner or later this hidden gem band will be disclosed to the world.

A totally independent creation with the band being also responsible for the production of the album, ''1974 & The battle for the lazer fortress'' is a decent trip into Prog Rock's heavier territories.Has this 1974 name something to do with the past?I'd rather say that the band sounds more modern than retro, but there are still plenty of nostalgic injections in this effort, Angela Rhea Piccoli and her powerful organ being the main reason for the fact.The band would introduce itself with an opening 16-min. instrumental madness titled ''Overture'', which sums up what 1974 is all about: Heavy Prog Rock and even some Hard Rock thrown in with punchy guitars and effective organ, complemented by a solid rhythm section and occasional pinches of acoustic and electric piano.Time signatures, rhythm assaults, atmospheric breaks and lots, I mean lots, of angular riffs in the process.Rreckless and confident performance.Split this track into its different sections and you'll have the rest of the album in your hands plus you should count the addition of vocals.Straight Hard Rock tunes, Retro/Heavy Prog vibes with organ in evidence, some smoother sections with discreet jazzy elements or acoustic interludes and even some borderline Alternative/Prog Rock akin to compatriots NO MORE PAIN.Not that efficiernt as the opening piece, still containing plenty of interesting moments, like the epic electroacoustic atmosphere of ''Wait'' or the surprising and positive meld of Fusion and Heavy Rock with the superb introductive electric piano of ''Guide our hands''.

A band to keep an eye on.Serious attempt on modern Heavy Prog with constant references to the 70's, nice keyboard work, clean vocals, complex themes and a true guitar fest of riffs inside.Recommended.