A journey through the Italianprog scene

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   A JOURNEY THROUGH THE CONTEMPORARY
ITALIANPROG SCENE
(by Andrea Parentin)

A SHORT FOREWORD

This article is complementary to another one, about the history of the Italian progressive rock, that I wrote sometimes ago for Progarchives and that you can find just clicking here. Italy is a complex country with many different regions and cities. Almost each one of them has its own culture, dialect and traditions. Moreover, almost every city in Italy can boast at least an interesting prog band. So, I think it could be useful planning an imaginary journey through Italy and its culture while listening to the contemporary local prog bands, the same bands that you could listen live on stage if you plan a real journey through Italy in these days. All you have to do is clicking on the many hyperlinks on this text. Most of the links redirect to Wikipedia, MySpace or to other sections of this site and are rich of information and music samples. Most of the bands listed on this article could fit the subgenre called Rock Progressivo Italiano, but there are exceptions of course. Anyway there’s no room at all for cover bands or tribute bands. Are you interested? Let’s start...

LIGURIA

Probably the best place where begin a journey through the present Italian prog scene is GENOVA. Genova, the capital of the Italian region LIGURIA, also known as the city of the Lanterna, is not only the place of birth of Christopher Columbus and Niccolò Paganini but also the home city of many prog bands. The best known are the NEW TROLLS that started their career in 1966, influenced by beat and psychedelia before turning into progressive rock and later into pop. On their debut album they collaborated with two other great artists from Genova, singer-songwriter Fabrizio De Andrè and composer and producer Gian Piero Reverberi. Nowadays New Trolls continue to keep alive their repertoire with excellent live performances even if they are now broken in two branches with old and younger members militating in two different line-ups. The first one is LA LEGGENDA DEI NEW TROLLS (Official Website - MySpace), featuring founder members Vittorio De Scalzi and Nico Di Paolo, that in 2007 released an interesting new album with an orchestra, Concerto Grosso, The Seven Seasons. The other one is IL MITO DEI NEW TROLLS (Official Website - MySpace), featuring historic members like Ricky Belloni, Gianni Belleno and Giorgio Usai, more focused on the pop side of New Trolls’ production although on stage they perform also pieces from the progressive period of the band. New Trolls are not the only prog band from this city still in activity. DELIRIUM (MySpace) are alive and kicking too and they have just released an excellent brand new album called Il Nome Del Vento. By the way, former member of Delirium Ivano Fossati is now one of the most appreciated Italian singer-songwriters. Another historic band in activity are LATTE E MIELE (MySpace) that reunited in 2008 for an international tour, a live record and new projects. Other bands that came out from Genova during the seventies are GLEEMEN, GARYBALDI, BAMBIBANDA E MELODIE, J.E.T., OSAGE TRIBE, DUELLO MADRE, NUOVA IDEA, IBIS, NEW TROLLS ATOMIC SYSTEM, PICCHIO DAL POZZO and LA FAMIGLIA DEGLI ORTEGA. 

Anyway, the prog vein of Genova is not dry yet and its contemporary prog scene is still full of talented musicians. Undoubtedly a very important and prolific one is Fabio Zuffanti, bass player and composer who is behind projects such as LA MASCHERA DI CERA (MySpace - Facebook), FINISTERRE (MySpace), HOSTSONATEN (MySpace), ARIES (MySpace) and ROHMER (MySpace). Agostino Macor, along with Fabio Zuffanti in the line up of La Maschera di Cera, Finisterre and Rohmer, started another “jazz-rock-minimalistic” project called ZAAL (MySpace) that should be of some interest for prog lovers. Another interesting local artist is GIORGIO CESARE NERI (MySpace) who in 2009 released his debut album Logos. In my opinion very interesting are also the projects started by singer and lyricist Mercy, keyboardist Francesco La Rosa and bassist Diego Banchero who feature in the line ups of bands like IL SEGNO DEL COMANDO (YouTube), MALOMBRA (MySpace), IANVA (MySpace - Interview), EGIDA AUREA (MySpace) and RECONDITA STIRPE (MySpace). Another former member of Malombra, Fabio Casanova, started a solo project called SAD MINSTREL. Other contemporary prog artists and bands from Genova are TRAMA (featuring keyboardist from Chiavari LUCA SCHERANI - MySpace), GIAN CASTELLO (MySpace), ERIS PLUVIA (MySpace), THE ANCIENT VEIL (MySpace), NARROW PASS (MySpace), AELIAN and DAEDALUS (MySpace). To be mentioned also THE PRESAGE (MySpace), an old jazz-rock project that guitarist Giacomo Caliolo is trying to bring up to a new life, and the emerging band CAHIER NOIR (MySpace), formerly named Parànomy.

To conclude our visit to Genova, I think it’s useful to add that in Genova is active an association called Centro Studi per il Progressive Italiano (MySpace) whose goal is studying and promoting Italian Progressive Rock. One of the founders, Riccardo Storti, wrote a whole book about the prog scene of the seventies in Genova, Codice Zena, and a biography of New Trolls, New Trolls, dal pesto al sushi. In Genova you can find also the headquarters of the independent label Black Widow Records, specialized in progressive rock with a special taste for dark-prog productions. 

But Liguria is not only Genova. East of Genova, from the near city of LA SPEZIA come ANCESTRY (MySpace) and a new promising band called FORESTA DELL’EQUILIBRIO (MySpace). Then, west of Genova, there’s SAVONA, from where during the seventies came out bands like THE TRIP, CORTE DEI MIRACOLI and IL GIRO STRANO. One of the seventies band from Savona, IL CERCHIO D'ORO (MySpace), recently reformed and in 2008 released an excellent album, Il Viaggio di Colombo. Another interesting contemporary band from this city are ARMALITE (MySpace) that in 2008 contributed to the project of Colossus/Musea, Inferno - A Progressive Rock Epic. To be mentioned also some of the many projects of guitarist Fabrizio Bonanno (MySpace) like EQUISETI (YouTube) and the heavier WOUNDED KNEE (MySpace).

Last but not least the province of IMPERIA, on the border with France. In this area, in the imaginary town of Ombrosa, is settled Il barone rampante, a wonderful novel by Italian writer Italo Calvino. Near the city of Imperia there’s SANREMO, a town famous for its flowers and for hosting the Sanremo Music Festival, a song contest that is considered almost a sanctuary of the “canzone italiana”, the traditional melodic Italian song. Nonetheless during the seventies from here came out prog bands like IL SISTEMA, CELESTE and MUSEO ROSENBACH. Former singer of Museo Rosenbach, Stefano “Lupo” Galifi, now based in Genova, recently joined with a bunch of younger musicians in love with prog and formed a new band called IL TEMPIO DELLE CLESSIDRE (MySpace) with the aim to perform the whole Museo Rosenbach’s album Zarathustra along with new compositions. Another former member of Museo Rosenbach, drummer Giancarlo Golzi, joined with three former members of J.E.T. (Piero Cassano, Carlo Marrale and Aldo Stellitta) and is still active with a band based in Genova called MATIA BAZAR (Official Website – MySpace), definitively more pop oriented. From this town come also the neo-prog band NOSTALGIA (MySpace) but for prog lovers today Sanremo is most of all the city of the independent label specialized in progressive rock Mellow Records (MySpace), founded by Mauro Moroni and former Celeste’s member Ciro Perrino (MySpace).

PIEMONTE and VALLE D’AOSTA

And now we head north to PIEMONTE and to its capital TORINO, the city of the Mole Antonelliana and of the Shroud, where there’s another interesting and busy prog scene. In the past from Torino came out bands such as CIRCUS 2000, ERRATA CORRIGE, GLI ALLUMINOGENI, HORUS, ESAGONO, ZAUBER, CLARION, ATON'S, CIRCLE OF FAIRIES, FANCYFLUID, ABIOGENESI, SYNDONE, EMPIRE, TOWER,  SACKA, CAMERA ASTRALIS, CONTRAPPUNTO and ONDA D’URTO (Official Website – Cantine.org). The best known prog band from Torino are ARTI E MESTIERI (MySpace - Live on UNOTV), formed in 1974 and still active today. They’re not the only local band formed in the seventies that keep on playing. Recently, on the initiative of guitarist Roby Munciguerra, have been reformed PROCESSION (MySpace) that in 2007 released an album featuring new songs and old stuff with new arrangements, Esplorare, while another former Procession’s guitarist, MARCELLO CAPRA (MySpace), in 1978 started a solo career and is still active today. Other active bands with the roots in the seventies are VENEGONI & CO, MAURY E I PRONOMI (MySpace), MASS MEDIA (MySpace) and, from the near town of Pinerolo,  DEDALUS. Another interesting band from Torino are CALLIOPE, that began their career in 1989. Close to Torino is Venaria Reale from where come a progressive rock orchestra, AINUR  (MySpace) whose music is inspired by the works of J.R.R. Tolkien. Among the emerging prog artists and bands from Torino I recommend the very promising BAROQUE (MySpace) that in 2009 released their debut album, La fiaba della buonanotte, for the French label Musea Records. Other local emerging bands are CHIAVE DI ES (MySpace), LES MASQUES (MySpace - Facebook), OMBRALUCE (Official Website - Last.fm), RABEL (MySpace), THE U.K.O. (MySpace), EYERING (MySpace) and a project called ORCHESTRE CELESTI (MySpace). Then, in my opinion, should be of some interest for prog lovers the prog influenced singer song-writer DAVIDE TOSCHES (MySpace). In Torino there are also the headquarters of the independent label specialized in progressive rock Electromantic Music (Facebook), founded by Arti e Mestieri’s keyboardist Beppe Crovella (MySpace).

Of course, Torino is not the only city in Piemonte with interesting prog bands. From the birthplace of Italian writer Umberto Eco, ALESSANDRIA, about 90 km south-west from Torino, in the seventies was formed a band called QUO MODO VITAE (MySpace). They never had the chance to record an album and it’s a pity. Anyway, recently some of the old members joined again to play live and to work on new and old pieces and, well, I think it would be high time for a debut album! In Alessandria we can also listen to IMAGIN'ARIA (MySpace), to the projects of guitarist CRISTIANO MUSSI (MySpace) and to some emerging bands like ROCCAFORTE (MySpace - Facebook - their debut album and demos can be legally downloaded from the official website, just click here), ANZIANA REGINA (MySpace) and  COSA RARA (MySpace). In the near town of Casale Monferrato then we can listen to a melodic prog band called ABACO (MySpace). From another town in the province of Alessandria, Tortona, in the early seventies came out a band called I LEONI.  

From ASTI, about 55 km south-east of Torino in the seventies came out LOCANDA DELLE FATE. Locanda delle Fate’s keyboardist and composer Michele Conta (MySpace) recently tried to put the band together again without success and now is working on new projects. From Asti came out also ARCHENSIEL, an interesting prog-folk band that released in 1989 a beautiful album, Piova, re-released by Akarma in 2004. Today the prog scene from Asti can boast the emerging band FATA DELL’OMBRA (MySpace) and CANTINA SOCIALE (MySpace) that in 2009 released the excellent work Cum Lux. Cantina Sociale’s singer Iano Nicolò (MySpace) is also the singer in the new line up of Arti e Mestieri.

Well, almost every city of Piemonte gave birth to at least one prog band that is worth listen to. From CUNEO come PANDORA (MySpace), a band that in 2008 released an amazing debut album for BTF, Dramma di un poeta ubriaco. From Bra, a town  50 km south of Torino and 50 km north-east of Cuneo, come COLSTER (MySpace - Facebook), an emerging band influenced by psychedelic sounds. From BIELLA in the seventies came out ODISSEA while today there’s here an interesting emergent band called THE MELLON (MySpace). Then, from VERCELLI come IL CASTELLO DI ATLANTE (MySpace – Live on UNOTV) and from NOVARA come CONSORZIO ACQUA POTABILE (MySpace).

To conclude our visit through the far North-Western Italy, we go to AOSTA, the capital of the autonomous region VALLE D'AOSTA. Here during the seventies were based PARADISO A BASSO PREZZO while now Aosta is the hometown of a very promising band of “folk-destroyers”, I TRENI ALL'ALBA (MySpace - Facebook).

LOMBARDIA

Now we head East, to LOMBARDIA and its capital MILANO where you can find one of the most important musical scenes in Italy. From here took off in the last sixties PREMIATA FORNERIA MARCONI (MySpace), probably the most famous Italian progressive rock band. This band is still perfectly fit, especially on stage, and in 2006 released an excellent brand new album, Stati di immaginazione. Another band that started its career in the late sixties and that is still active today with a renewed line-up are I GIGANTI (MySpace) but their repertoire now is more focused on the “beat” stuff they released in the sixties than on their absolute masterpiece Terra in bocca (a whole book about this album was published in 2009, Terra in bocca - Quando i Giganti sfidarono la mafia, with CD included). Former member of I Giganti, Mino Di Martino, who was also involved in other projects during the seventies like the experimental TELAIO MAGNETICO and ALBERGO INTERGALATTICO SPAZIALE, now is the leader of a prog folk project called IL COMPLEANNO DI MARY (MySpace). On the prog folk side another band of survivors are COME LE FOGLIE (MySpace). Two other bands that were formed in the late sixities in Milano and that are still active are I DIK DIK (MySpace) and FORMULA 3 (MySpace). Both bands collaborated in the seventies with famous singer-songwriter Lucio Battisti and now their repertoire is more focused on the songs written by Battisti than on their short prog period. In the late sixties in Milano were shaped also the projects of Antonio Bartoccetti JACULA and ANTONIUS REX (MySpace). Antonius Rex are still alive and in 2009 they released a brand-new album, Per Viam. Lately reunited for some concerts also MAXOPHONE (MySpace), one of the many outstanding one-shot bands that were formed in Milano during the seventies. Among the seventies bands from Milano that are no more in activity (although a reunion in some cases is always possible) deserve to be mentioned PHOLAS DACTYLUS, ALPHATAURUS, ALUSA FALLAX, DE DE LIND, JUMBO, AKTUALA, RICORDI D'INFANZIA, IL VOLO, STORMY SIX (one of the founder members of the band, Franco Fabbri, now is a well known musicologist and teaches at University) and AREA. Former keyboardist of Area PATRIZIO FARISELLI (MySpace) is still active and has released some interesting solo albums. Former guitarist of Area PAOLO TOFANI (MySpace) is still active too but he has changed music and life style and now is a follower of the Hare Krishna movement. Former bassist of Stormy Six CLAUDIO ROCCHI (Official Website), who in the past was also involved with the Hare Krishna movement, in the seventies started a solo career as a singer-songwriter releasing some albums that should be of interest for prog lovers. Other singer-songwriters of the seventies Milanese scene that are still in activity and that should be of interest for prog lovers are CLAUDIO FUCCI (MySpace) and Eugenio Finardi.

But progressive rock in Milano is not dead on the wane of the seventies and the present musical scene of the city features many very interesting bands that keep up the flag of prog. You can find here some good “neo-prog” groups like EDERA (MySpace), ARCANSIEL (MySpace), H2O (that were formed in 1977 although they couldn’t release their debut album until 1997) and the “Genesis-like” THE WATCH (MySpace), born from the ashes of a band called THE NIGHT WATCH. A recent solo project in “Genesis style” is also that of ALESSANDRO FARINELLA (MySpace), former member of THEATRE, helped by Silvio Masanotti, former guitarist and composer of TALE CUE. From an idea of Francesco Zago, former member of the aforementioned The Night Watch took off an interesting project that blends classic symphonic rock with avant-garde, YUGEN (MySpace). Another band with a strong avant-garde taste are the ALLEGRI LEPROTTI (MySpace) while on the prog-folk side there are REVERIE (MySpace), a band formed on the initiative of composer and guitarist Valerio Vado, former member of the symphonic-prog band LETHE. With a more conventional prog-style we can find UBI MAIOR (MySpace) that in 2009 released a very good album, Senza Tempo, and FILORITMIA (MySpace), that in 2009 released the excellent Passaggi. From Milano come also the symphonic.prog project GAN EDEN - GIARDINO DELLE DELIZIE (MySpace) and a band now based in London that has just released its debut album for BTF in pure Rock Progressivo Italiano style, IL RUSCELLO (MySpace). With a sharper sound and some hints of metal there are then VIII STRADA (MySpace) and ANACONDIA (MySpace). Other very interesting emerging bands from Milano that deserve to be mentioned are IL BABAU & I MALEDETTI CRETINI (MySpace), IMAGINARIA (MySpace). Then there are ANOMALIA (MySpace), NOMALIA (MySpace), SOULENGINE (MySpace),  REDZEN (MySpace), ATLANTIS 1001 (MySpace), RIDDLE (MySpace) and the dark-prog project IL BALLO DELLE CASTAGNE (MySpace). In Milan you can find also the headquarters of the independent label BTF (MySpace), specialized in Italian progressive rock.

And now let’s visit the other cities of Lombardia. Near Milano there’s MONZA, in the Brianza area, best known for hosting every year the Formula 1 grand prix. From here come ZITA ENSEMBLE (MySpace), an instrumental project that blends progressive, jazz and psychedelic influences. 

About 55 km North-West from Milano there’s VARESE, from where in the seventies came out CINCINNATO and HUNKA MUNKA (MySpace). From Varese today come COURT (MySpace) that in 2007 won the Los Angeles Music Award as the best Alternative Artist with the album Frost of Watermelon. By the way, from the official website you can legally download the first two albums of the band, just click here and here! Other interesting bands from Varese are ATTO IV (MySpace), EGO  (MySpace) and SIRENA (MySpace). Almost half way between Milano and Varese there’s a place called Cuggiono, birthplace of singer-songwriter ANGELO BRANDUARDI (MySpace).

About 45 km north of Milan lies COMO, on the western arm of Lake Como. From here come out the “prog chamber music” of GATTO MARTE and the symphonic MOGADOR (MySpace), an interesting band with many seventies influences. Como is not far from the border between Italy and Switzerland, so I think it’s worth to take the chance to cross the border and go up to LUGANO to find a “non Italian Italianprog band”, ALIPERDUTE. It’s a pity that this band is not active at the moment, but luckily their music is still available in free legal download so take your time, relax for a while, click here and listen to.

On the other arm of Lake Como lies LECCO, the city where is settled I promessi sposi, a famous novel by the Italian writer Alessandro Manzoni. In the seventies from here came out the “Christian prog” band MESSAGGIO 73 and BIGLIETTO PER L'INFERNO (Facebook). Some of the old members of Biglietto per l’Inferno recently joined again for some live performances and are working in studio for a new album. Since the original vocalist Giorgio Canali retired from mundane life and is now a monk of the Order of Saint Benedict, lead vocals are provided by a female singer, Mariolina Sala. On the official website you can find some videos of the new project. Other contemporary prog bands from Lecco, more heavy and influenced by metal, are WILLOW (MySpace) and EVIL WINGS (MySpace). From Lecco, heading north east, we go now to SONDRIO, a town situated in Valtellina, in the heart of the Alps, from where during the seventies came out a band called LA PENTOLA DI PAPIN. Today it’s the time of the jazz-rock sound of FETISH PANDA (MySpace – you can legally download their first album just clicking here) while a young prog band called HYPNOSIS (MySpace) is moving its first steps in a more classic direction.

From Sondrio we head south to BERGAMO, the birthplace of the famous opera composer Gaetano Donizetti. Today in Bergamo opera and prog can merge with the operatic vocals of tenor Mauro Ghilardini (MySpace) and of his prog opera project MINSTREL. In the past from here came out bands like I RAMINGHI, MADRUGADA and MO.DO. Now we find bands like the excellent LA TORRE DELL'ALCHIMISTA (Facebook), PROWLERS  (MySpace) and TILION  (MySpace). Prowlers’ and Tilion’s keyboardist Alfio Costa (MySpace) recently started also two side projects,  one is called COLOSSUS PROJECT (MySpace) while the other one is the more experimental DAAL (MySpace) featuring Roman drummer Davide Guidoni (MySpace). From Bergamo come also LINGALAD  (MySpace), a folk rock band inspired by the work of J.R.R. Tolkien, and two emerging bands like HELIANTUS  (MySpace) and  DARSHAN  (MySpace).  

Not far from Bergamo lies BRESCIA, a city called the Italian Lioness. From here in the seventies came out a band called DALTON. For prog lovers now Brescia is the city of bands such as NOTABENE, CORTE AULICA and the other projects of Gustavo Pasini (MySpace), LITHOS and ALMA SIDERIS (MySpace). By the way, you can legally download for free the albums of Lithos and Alma Sideris just clicking here, here and here. When visiting Brescia, have a break and listen to some good music while having a drink or eating something at the Canterbury Café (MySpace), the owner is Gustavo Pasini himself. From Brescia come also one of the most interesting emerging bands of the Italian prog scene, DEL MAIALE NON SI BUTTA VIA NIENTE  (MySpace) that are working on their debut album and DIAMANTE (MySpace), heavy prog oozing love for Uriah Heep. Chiari, a town near Brescia, is the birthplace of musician, composer, producer and former PFM’s member MAURO PAGANI (MySpace). Well, in Chiari there was a bakery called Forneria Marconi that inspired the name of the most famous Italianprog band. In 2009 Mauro Pagani wrote also a novel settled in the prog scene of the seventies, Foto di gruppo con chitarrista. 

Back west now, to PAVIA, 35 km south of Milan, from where in the past came out I NUMI, ARMONITE and ACROAMA (MySpace). Near Pavia, in the town of Vigevano there are the headquarters of the independent label Ma.Ra.Cash Records (MySpace), specialized in prog. Vigevano is also the hometown of MARY NEWSLETTER (MySpace) and JESTER'S JOKE. East of Pavia lies CREMONA, best known for its musical instrument manufactures: this is the city of the Amati family, Guarneri and Stradivari. From here come out prog bands and artists like MAPPE NOOTICHE (MySpace) and MARIO COTTARELLI (MySpace) while from the near town of Crema came out in the recent past a band called VEDDA TRIBE. Still heading east we conclude our visit to Lombardia in MANTOVA, the city of the classical Roman poet Virgil. Here are based bands like MOONGARDEN (MySpace), SUBMARINE SILENCE (MySpace), OBSCURA (MySpace) and the emerging  RADIO LONDRA (MySpace). 

VENETO

Still heading east, we go now to VENETO and to its peculiar and beautiful capital VENEZIA, the city of  artists and adventurers such as Antonio Vivaldi, Tomaso Albinoni. Carlo Goldoni, Tintoretto, Giovanni Battista Tiepolo, Canaletto, Giacomo Casanova and Marco Polo. The most famous prog band from Venezia are LE ORME (MySpace - Official fanclub) that started their career in 1966 and are still active and perfectly fit. Former Le Orme’s member TONY PAGLIUCA, who left the band in 1992, follows now a solo career and is still in activity too (Official Website - YouTube). In 1979 Le Orme dedicated an album, Florian, to a famous café of Piazza San Marco, the Caffé Florian, where you can listen to classical chamber music while sipping a drink. Such a kind of atmosphere perfectly fits also the recent works of Venetian pianist and composer LUCIANO BASSO (MySpace), that in the seventies released some interesting prog albums. Another excellent historic local band still in activity are OPUS AVANTRA (MySpace) that recently released a DVD recorded live in Japan, Viaggio Immaginario - Live in Tokyo. In the past from Venezia came out also bands like IL MUCCHIO, I COCAI, SPIROSFERA, BONDAGE and LOST TALES (a band featuring keyboardist ANDREA SIMONETTO - MySpace). Today an interesting contemporary band from Venezia are QUANAH PARKER (MySpace - Official Website) while from the near town of San Donà di Piave comes LORENZO MONNI  (MySpace – by the way, you can legally download his first two albums from the Official Website).

North of Venezia thare’s TREVISO, from where in the past came out prog bands like CAPSICUM RED, ASGARD, APRYL and FAVERAVOLA, a band formed by veterans, musicians active in the seventies that released in 2007 the beautiful album Contea dei cento castagni. Interesting contemporary bands from this city are APHELION (MySpace - Interview), an instrumental project with metal influences, and MAGNETIC SOUND MACHINE (MySpace), recommended to jazz-rock lovers. Other emerging bands from Treviso are GEO’S (MySpace) and SYNDERESI (MySpace). In Treviso there are also the headquarters of the independent label specialized in prog Lizard Records (MySpace). From the near town of Montebelluna comes bassist and composer ALBERTO RIGONI (MySpace) while from a beautiful place north of Treviso, Cison di Valmarino, come an interesting melodic prog band called EPHEMERIS (MySpace). Still heading north we enter the province of BELLUNO and the amazing alpine area of the Dolomiti, where we can listen to IDEA OSTILE (MySpace) and to a young prog band called ALPHA PRIVATIVO (MySpace).

And now back south, to PADOVA, the city of Saint Anthony, 40 km west of Venezia. Padova is also the birth place of the famous architect Andrea Palladio, whose XVIth century ville (country-houses) in the area of Padova, Venezia, Vicenza and Treviso are among the most beautiful of Italy, and of Giovanni Battista Belzoni, adventurer, engineer and Egyptologist to whom is dedicated a new concept album by the prog band Arti e Mestieri, Il grande Belzoni. From Padova in the past came out bands like ENEIDE, MELLONTA TAUTA and AUDIO while the contemporary prog scene features bands like ASTRALIA (MySpace) and HYPNOISE (MySpace). In the seventies here formed also one of the very few bands linked to the right wing movement, LA COMPAGNIA DELL'ANELLO (Facebook - YouTube1 - YouTube2). Their first album Terra di Thule is not bad and should be of some interest for prog lovers. The band is still in activity. 

South of Padova there is ROVIGO where we can listen to an interesting contemporary band called ANFITEATRO (MySpace). From here in the past came out a band called A PIEDI NUDI. Their guitarist, Nicola Gardinale, has changed musical direction and has formed a blues-rock project, NIC-G AND THE MOGSY (MySpace).

Leaving Rovigo, we head now back north to VICENZA, from where in the past came out ABISSI INFINITI and TOP LEFT CORNER. Now it’s the time of an excellent band that combines tradition whit heavier sounds, ABSENTHIA (MySpace) and in 2009 released an excellent self produced debut album, Tenebrae Vinc**t. Not far from Vicenza, in a town called Bassano del Grappa, from where in the past came out a band called SLOGANS, you can find a very good CD shop, Pick Up Records. 

We conclude our visit to Veneto in VERONA, the city of Romeo and Juliet. You can find here a good contemporary prog scene featuring excellent bands like D.F.A.  (MySpace - Live on UNOTV), LOGOS  (MySpace – by the way, you can legally download their first two albums clicking here) and ELETTROSMOG (MySpace). Other prog bands from Verona are MARYGOLD, the emerging SIDE C (MySpace - Live on UNOTV), REQVIEM (MySpace), OLTREMARE (MySpace), CASTELLI IN ARIA (MySpace), AEGON (MySpace), the folk-oriented DOMUS DE JANAS (MySpace) and IL FAUNO DI MARMO (MySpace). A good venue for prog lovers here is the Club il Giardino.

TRENTINO-ALTO ADIGE and FRIULI-VENEZIA GIULIA

From Verona we head north, going along the shores of the Lake Garda we reach the autonomous region TRENTINO-ALTO ADIGE / SUDTIROL. On the north shore of the lake in the Province of Trento there’s a beautiful town called Riva del Garda  from where come out the MEN OF LAKE (MySpace) and RUNAWAY TOTEM. From the near town of Rovereto come the excellent and peculiar UNIVERSAL TOTEM ORCHESTRA (MySpace), AVIOLINEE UTOPIA and the emerging OUTOPSYA (MySpace). Still heading north we reach the Province of Bolzano-Bozen, on the border with Austria, from where come a “neo-prog” band called MAD PUPPET (from the Official Website you can legally download for free all their albums). 

Until 1918 Trento, Bolzano, Gorizia and Trieste were part of the Austro–Hungarian Empire. So, now we go to TRIESTE, the far east of Northern Italy, on the border with Slovenia, a city loved by the Irish writer James Joyce who taught English here between 1904 and 1920. From Trieste, that now is the capital of the Italian autonomous region FRIULI-VENEZIA GIULIA, comes out GINO D’ELISO, a song-writer who in 1976 released a very interesting album with strong prog influences, Il mare. The most famous contemporary prog band from Trieste are RHAPSODY (OF FIRE), influenced by Dream Theater and classical music. There are here also other interesting prog bands here like the metal influenced SINESTESIA (MySpace) and NOTTURNA (MySpace) or the more original J'ACCUSE..! that in 2008 released an excellent debut album for Mellow Records, Abbandono del tempo e delle forme. Other local bands are PROTEO (MySpace), the “klezmer prog” PASSOVER (MySpace), the experimental L’UOMO E L’OMBRA (Facebook) and the emerging SOUNDRISE (MySpace).

Not far from Trieste heading north along the border with Slovenia we reach GORIZIA, on the banks of river Isonzo, from where come out COOPERATIVA DEL LATTE and a very interesting emerging band called THE REBUS (MySpace). We can now cross the old border between Austria-Hungary and Italy and go to UDINE from where in the past came out a project called NASCITA DELLA SFERA. The present prog scene of this city features bands like ASSOLO DI BONGO, QUASAR LUX SYMPHONIAE and the emerging ASTRAL LOOM (MySpace), AIPERION (MySpace) and SO WHAT (MySpace). South of Udine, from Cervignano del Friuli near the ruins of the ancient Roman city of Aquileia come GARDEN WALL (MySpace). We conclude our visit to Friuli-Venezia Giulia in Pordenone from where come out the symphonic prog band BARROCK, IPERICO (MySpace) and INTER NOS (MySpace).     

Edited by andrea - November 10 2009 at 04:03

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andrea Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Prog Reviewer Joined: May 20 2005 Location: Italy Online Status: Offline Posts: 825	Quote Reply Topic: A journey through the Italianprog scene Posted: October 18 2009 at 08:26
	A JOURNEY THROUGH THE CONTEMPORARY ITALIANPROG SCENE (by Andrea Parentin) A SHORT FOREWORD This article is complementary to another one, about the history of the Italian progressive rock, that I wrote sometimes ago for Progarchives and that you can find just clicking here. Italy is a complex country with many different regions and cities. Almost each one of them has its own culture, dialect and traditions. Moreover, almost every city in Italy can boast at least an interesting prog band. So, I think it could be useful planning an imaginary journey through Italy and its culture while listening to the contemporary local prog bands, the same bands that you could listen live on stage if you plan a real journey through Italy in these days. All you have to do is clicking on the many hyperlinks on this text. Most of the links redirect to Wikipedia, MySpace or to other sections of this site and are rich of information and music samples. Most of the bands listed on this article could fit the subgenre called Rock Progressivo Italiano, but there are exceptions of course. Anyway there’s no room at all for cover bands or tribute bands. Are you interested? Let’s start... LIGURIA Probably the best place where begin a journey through the present Italian prog scene is GENOVA. Genova, the capital of the Italian region LIGURIA, also known as the city of the Lanterna, is not only the place of birth of Christopher Columbus and Niccolò Paganini but also the home city of many prog bands. The best known are the NEW TROLLS that started their career in 1966, influenced by beat and psychedelia before turning into progressive rock and later into pop. On their debut album they collaborated with two other great artists from Genova, singer-songwriter Fabrizio De Andrè and composer and producer Gian Piero Reverberi. Nowadays New Trolls continue to keep alive their repertoire with excellent live performances even if they are now broken in two branches with old and younger members militating in two different line-ups. The first one is LA LEGGENDA DEI NEW TROLLS (Official Website - MySpace), featuring founder members Vittorio De Scalzi and Nico Di Paolo, that in 2007 released an interesting new album with an orchestra, Concerto Grosso, The Seven Seasons. The other one is IL MITO DEI NEW TROLLS (Official Website - MySpace), featuring historic members like Ricky Belloni, Gianni Belleno and Giorgio Usai, more focused on the pop side of New Trolls’ production although on stage they perform also pieces from the progressive period of the band. New Trolls are not the only prog band from this city still in activity. DELIRIUM (MySpace) are alive and kicking too and they have just released an excellent brand new album called Il Nome Del Vento. By the way, former member of Delirium Ivano Fossati is now one of the most appreciated Italian singer-songwriters. Another historic band in activity are LATTE E MIELE (MySpace) that reunited in 2008 for an international tour, a live record and new projects. Other bands that came out from Genova during the seventies are GLEEMEN, GARYBALDI, BAMBIBANDA E MELODIE, J.E.T., OSAGE TRIBE, DUELLO MADRE, NUOVA IDEA, IBIS, NEW TROLLS ATOMIC SYSTEM, PICCHIO DAL POZZO and LA FAMIGLIA DEGLI ORTEGA. Anyway, the prog vein of Genova is not dry yet and its contemporary prog scene is still full of talented musicians. Undoubtedly a very important and prolific one is Fabio Zuffanti, bass player and composer who is behind projects such as LA MASCHERA DI CERA (MySpace - Facebook), FINISTERRE (MySpace), HOSTSONATEN (MySpace), ARIES (MySpace) and ROHMER (MySpace). Agostino Macor, along with Fabio Zuffanti in the line up of La Maschera di Cera, Finisterre and Rohmer, started another “jazz-rock-minimalistic” project called ZAAL (MySpace) that should be of some interest for prog lovers. Another interesting local artist is GIORGIO CESARE NERI (MySpace) who in 2009 released his debut album Logos. In my opinion very interesting are also the projects started by singer and lyricist Mercy, keyboardist Francesco La Rosa and bassist Diego Banchero who feature in the line ups of bands like IL SEGNO DEL COMANDO (YouTube), MALOMBRA (MySpace), IANVA (MySpace - Interview), EGIDA AUREA (MySpace) and RECONDITA STIRPE (MySpace). Another former member of Malombra, Fabio Casanova, started a solo project called SAD MINSTREL. Other contemporary prog artists and bands from Genova are TRAMA (featuring keyboardist from Chiavari LUCA SCHERANI - MySpace), GIAN CASTELLO (MySpace), ERIS PLUVIA (MySpace), THE ANCIENT VEIL (MySpace), NARROW PASS (MySpace), AELIAN and DAEDALUS (MySpace). To be mentioned also THE PRESAGE (MySpace), an old jazz-rock project that guitarist Giacomo Caliolo is trying to bring up to a new life, and the emerging band CAHIER NOIR (MySpace), formerly named Parànomy. To conclude our visit to Genova, I think it’s useful to add that in Genova is active an association called Centro Studi per il Progressive Italiano (MySpace) whose goal is studying and promoting Italian Progressive Rock. One of the founders, Riccardo Storti, wrote a whole book about the prog scene of the seventies in Genova, Codice Zena, and a biography of New Trolls, New Trolls, dal pesto al sushi. In Genova you can find also the headquarters of the independent label Black Widow Records, specialized in progressive rock with a special taste for dark-prog productions. But Liguria is not only Genova. East of Genova, from the near city of LA SPEZIA come ANCESTRY (MySpace) and a new promising band called FORESTA DELL’EQUILIBRIO (MySpace). Then, west of Genova, there’s SAVONA, from where during the seventies came out bands like THE TRIP, CORTE DEI MIRACOLI and IL GIRO STRANO. One of the seventies band from Savona, IL CERCHIO D'ORO (MySpace), recently reformed and in 2008 released an excellent album, Il Viaggio di Colombo. Another interesting contemporary band from this city are ARMALITE (MySpace) that in 2008 contributed to the project of Colossus/Musea, Inferno - A Progressive Rock Epic. To be mentioned also some of the many projects of guitarist Fabrizio Bonanno (MySpace) like EQUISETI (YouTube) and the heavier WOUNDED KNEE (MySpace). Last but not least the province of IMPERIA, on the border with France. In this area, in the imaginary town of Ombrosa, is settled Il barone rampante, a wonderful novel by Italian writer Italo Calvino. Near the city of Imperia there’s SANREMO, a town famous for its flowers and for hosting the Sanremo Music Festival, a song contest that is considered almost a sanctuary of the “canzone italiana”, the traditional melodic Italian song. Nonetheless during the seventies from here came out prog bands like IL SISTEMA, CELESTE and MUSEO ROSENBACH. Former singer of Museo Rosenbach, Stefano “Lupo” Galifi, now based in Genova, recently joined with a bunch of younger musicians in love with prog and formed a new band called IL TEMPIO DELLE CLESSIDRE (MySpace) with the aim to perform the whole Museo Rosenbach’s album Zarathustra along with new compositions. Another former member of Museo Rosenbach, drummer Giancarlo Golzi, joined with three former members of J.E.T. (Piero Cassano, Carlo Marrale and Aldo Stellitta) and is still active with a band based in Genova called MATIA BAZAR (Official Website – MySpace), definitively more pop oriented. From this town come also the neo-prog band NOSTALGIA (MySpace) but for prog lovers today Sanremo is most of all the city of the independent label specialized in progressive rock Mellow Records (MySpace), founded by Mauro Moroni and former Celeste’s member Ciro Perrino (MySpace). PIEMONTE and VALLE D’AOSTA And now we head north to PIEMONTE and to its capital TORINO, the city of the Mole Antonelliana and of the Shroud, where there’s another interesting and busy prog scene. In the past from Torino came out bands such as CIRCUS 2000, ERRATA CORRIGE, GLI ALLUMINOGENI, HORUS, ESAGONO, ZAUBER, CLARION, ATON'S, CIRCLE OF FAIRIES, FANCYFLUID, ABIOGENESI, SYNDONE, EMPIRE, TOWER, SACKA, CAMERA ASTRALIS, CONTRAPPUNTO and ONDA D’URTO (Official Website – Cantine.org). The best known prog band from Torino are ARTI E MESTIERI (MySpace - Live on UNOTV), formed in 1974 and still active today. They’re not the only local band formed in the seventies that keep on playing. Recently, on the initiative of guitarist Roby Munciguerra, have been reformed PROCESSION (MySpace) that in 2007 released an album featuring new songs and old stuff with new arrangements, Esplorare, while another former Procession’s guitarist, MARCELLO CAPRA (MySpace), in 1978 started a solo career and is still active today. Other active bands with the roots in the seventies are VENEGONI & CO, MAURY E I PRONOMI (MySpace), MASS MEDIA (MySpace) and, from the near town of Pinerolo, DEDALUS. Another interesting band from Torino are CALLIOPE, that began their career in 1989. Close to Torino is Venaria Reale from where come a progressive rock orchestra, AINUR (MySpace) whose music is inspired by the works of J.R.R. Tolkien. Among the emerging prog artists and bands from Torino I recommend the very promising BAROQUE (MySpace) that in 2009 released their debut album, La fiaba della buonanotte, for the French label Musea Records. Other local emerging bands are CHIAVE DI ES (MySpace), LES MASQUES (MySpace - Facebook), OMBRALUCE (Official Website - Last.fm), RABEL (MySpace), THE U.K.O. (MySpace), EYERING (MySpace) and a project called ORCHESTRE CELESTI (MySpace). Then, in my opinion, should be of some interest for prog lovers the prog influenced singer song-writer DAVIDE TOSCHES (MySpace). In Torino there are also the headquarters of the independent label specialized in progressive rock Electromantic Music (Facebook), founded by Arti e Mestieri’s keyboardist Beppe Crovella (MySpace). Of course, Torino is not the only city in Piemonte with interesting prog bands. From the birthplace of Italian writer Umberto Eco, ALESSANDRIA, about 90 km south-west from Torino, in the seventies was formed a band called QUO MODO VITAE (MySpace). They never had the chance to record an album and it’s a pity. Anyway, recently some of the old members joined again to play live and to work on new and old pieces and, well, I think it would be high time for a debut album! In Alessandria we can also listen to IMAGIN'ARIA (MySpace), to the projects of guitarist CRISTIANO MUSSI (MySpace) and to some emerging bands like ROCCAFORTE (MySpace - Facebook - their debut album and demos can be legally downloaded from the official website, just click here), ANZIANA REGINA (MySpace) and COSA RARA (MySpace). In the near town of Casale Monferrato then we can listen to a melodic prog band called ABACO (MySpace). From another town in the province of Alessandria, Tortona, in the early seventies came out a band called I LEONI. From ASTI, about 55 km south-east of Torino in the seventies came out LOCANDA DELLE FATE. Locanda delle Fate’s keyboardist and composer Michele Conta (MySpace) recently tried to put the band together again without success and now is working on new projects. From Asti came out also ARCHENSIEL, an interesting prog-folk band that released in 1989 a beautiful album, Piova, re-released by Akarma in 2004. Today the prog scene from Asti can boast the emerging band FATA DELL’OMBRA (MySpace) and CANTINA SOCIALE (MySpace) that in 2009 released the excellent work Cum Lux. Cantina Sociale’s singer Iano Nicolò (MySpace) is also the singer in the new line up of Arti e Mestieri. Well, almost every city of Piemonte gave birth to at least one prog band that is worth listen to. From CUNEO come PANDORA (MySpace), a band that in 2008 released an amazing debut album for BTF, Dramma di un poeta ubriaco. From Bra, a town 50 km south of Torino and 50 km north-east of Cuneo, come COLSTER (MySpace - Facebook), an emerging band influenced by psychedelic sounds. From BIELLA in the seventies came out ODISSEA while today there’s here an interesting emergent band called THE MELLON (MySpace). Then, from VERCELLI come IL CASTELLO DI ATLANTE (MySpace – Live on UNOTV) and from NOVARA come CONSORZIO ACQUA POTABILE (MySpace). To conclude our visit through the far North-Western Italy, we go to AOSTA, the capital of the autonomous region VALLE D'AOSTA. Here during the seventies were based PARADISO A BASSO PREZZO while now Aosta is the hometown of a very promising band of “folk-destroyers”, I TRENI ALL'ALBA (MySpace - Facebook). LOMBARDIA Now we head East, to LOMBARDIA and its capital MILANO where you can find one of the most important musical scenes in Italy. From here took off in the last sixties PREMIATA FORNERIA MARCONI (MySpace), probably the most famous Italian progressive rock band. This band is still perfectly fit, especially on stage, and in 2006 released an excellent brand new album, Stati di immaginazione. Another band that started its career in the late sixties and that is still active today with a renewed line-up are I GIGANTI (MySpace) but their repertoire now is more focused on the “beat” stuff they released in the sixties than on their absolute masterpiece Terra in bocca (a whole book about this album was published in 2009, Terra in bocca - Quando i Giganti sfidarono la mafia, with CD included). Former member of I Giganti, Mino Di Martino, who was also involved in other projects during the seventies like the experimental TELAIO MAGNETICO and ALBERGO INTERGALATTICO SPAZIALE, now is the leader of a prog folk project called IL COMPLEANNO DI MARY (MySpace). On the prog folk side another band of survivors are COME LE FOGLIE (MySpace). Two other bands that were formed in the late sixities in Milano and that are still active are I DIK DIK (MySpace) and FORMULA 3 (MySpace). Both bands collaborated in the seventies with famous singer-songwriter Lucio Battisti and now their repertoire is more focused on the songs written by Battisti than on their short prog period. In the late sixties in Milano were shaped also the projects of Antonio Bartoccetti JACULA and ANTONIUS REX (MySpace). Antonius Rex are still alive and in 2009 they released a brand-new album, Per Viam. Lately reunited for some concerts also MAXOPHONE (MySpace), one of the many outstanding one-shot bands that were formed in Milano during the seventies. Among the seventies bands from Milano that are no more in activity (although a reunion in some cases is always possible) deserve to be mentioned PHOLAS DACTYLUS, ALPHATAURUS, ALUSA FALLAX, DE DE LIND, JUMBO, AKTUALA, RICORDI D'INFANZIA, IL VOLO, STORMY SIX (one of the founder members of the band, Franco Fabbri, now is a well known musicologist and teaches at University) and AREA. Former keyboardist of Area PATRIZIO FARISELLI (MySpace) is still active and has released some interesting solo albums. Former guitarist of Area PAOLO TOFANI (MySpace) is still active too but he has changed music and life style and now is a follower of the Hare Krishna movement. Former bassist of Stormy Six CLAUDIO ROCCHI (Official Website), who in the past was also involved with the Hare Krishna movement, in the seventies started a solo career as a singer-songwriter releasing some albums that should be of interest for prog lovers. Other singer-songwriters of the seventies Milanese scene that are still in activity and that should be of interest for prog lovers are CLAUDIO FUCCI (MySpace) and Eugenio Finardi. But progressive rock in Milano is not dead on the wane of the seventies and the present musical scene of the city features many very interesting bands that keep up the flag of prog. You can find here some good “neo-prog” groups like EDERA (MySpace), ARCANSIEL (MySpace), H2O (that were formed in 1977 although they couldn’t release their debut album until 1997) and the “Genesis-like” THE WATCH (MySpace), born from the ashes of a band called THE NIGHT WATCH. A recent solo project in “Genesis style” is also that of ALESSANDRO FARINELLA (MySpace), former member of THEATRE, helped by Silvio Masanotti, former guitarist and composer of TALE CUE. From an idea of Francesco Zago, former member of the aforementioned The Night Watch took off an interesting project that blends classic symphonic rock with avant-garde, YUGEN (MySpace). Another band with a strong avant-garde taste are the ALLEGRI LEPROTTI (MySpace) while on the prog-folk side there are REVERIE (MySpace), a band formed on the initiative of composer and guitarist Valerio Vado, former member of the symphonic-prog band LETHE. With a more conventional prog-style we can find UBI MAIOR (MySpace) that in 2009 released a very good album, Senza Tempo, and FILORITMIA (MySpace), that in 2009 released the excellent Passaggi. From Milano come also the symphonic.prog project GAN EDEN - GIARDINO DELLE DELIZIE (MySpace) and a band now based in London that has just released its debut album for BTF in pure Rock Progressivo Italiano style, IL RUSCELLO (MySpace). With a sharper sound and some hints of metal there are then VIII STRADA (MySpace) and ANACONDIA (MySpace). Other very interesting emerging bands from Milano that deserve to be mentioned are IL BABAU & I MALEDETTI CRETINI (MySpace), IMAGINARIA (MySpace). Then there are ANOMALIA (MySpace), NOMALIA (MySpace), SOULENGINE (MySpace), REDZEN (MySpace), ATLANTIS 1001 (MySpace), RIDDLE (MySpace) and the dark-prog project IL BALLO DELLE CASTAGNE (MySpace). In Milan you can find also the headquarters of the independent label BTF (MySpace), specialized in Italian progressive rock. And now let’s visit the other cities of Lombardia. Near Milano there’s MONZA, in the Brianza area, best known for hosting every year the Formula 1 grand prix. From here come ZITA ENSEMBLE (MySpace), an instrumental project that blends progressive, jazz and psychedelic influences. About 55 km North-West from Milano there’s VARESE, from where in the seventies came out CINCINNATO and HUNKA MUNKA (MySpace). From Varese today come COURT (MySpace) that in 2007 won the Los Angeles Music Award as the best Alternative Artist with the album Frost of Watermelon. By the way, from the official website you can legally download the first two albums of the band, just click here and here! Other interesting bands from Varese are ATTO IV (MySpace), EGO (MySpace) and SIRENA (MySpace). Almost half way between Milano and Varese there’s a place called Cuggiono, birthplace of singer-songwriter ANGELO BRANDUARDI (MySpace). About 45 km north of Milan lies COMO, on the western arm of Lake Como. From here come out the “prog chamber music” of GATTO MARTE and the symphonic MOGADOR (MySpace), an interesting band with many seventies influences. Como is not far from the border between Italy and Switzerland, so I think it’s worth to take the chance to cross the border and go up to LUGANO to find a “non Italian Italianprog band”, ALIPERDUTE. It’s a pity that this band is not active at the moment, but luckily their music is still available in free legal download so take your time, relax for a while, click here and listen to. On the other arm of Lake Como lies LECCO, the city where is settled I promessi sposi, a famous novel by the Italian writer Alessandro Manzoni. In the seventies from here came out the “Christian prog” band MESSAGGIO 73 and BIGLIETTO PER L'INFERNO (Facebook). Some of the old members of Biglietto per l’Inferno recently joined again for some live performances and are working in studio for a new album. Since the original vocalist Giorgio Canali retired from mundane life and is now a monk of the Order of Saint Benedict, lead vocals are provided by a female singer, Mariolina Sala. On the official website you can find some videos of the new project. Other contemporary prog bands from Lecco, more heavy and influenced by metal, are WILLOW (MySpace) and EVIL WINGS (MySpace). From Lecco, heading north east, we go now to SONDRIO, a town situated in Valtellina, in the heart of the Alps, from where during the seventies came out a band called LA PENTOLA DI PAPIN. Today it’s the time of the jazz-rock sound of FETISH PANDA (MySpace – you can legally download their first album just clicking here) while a young prog band called HYPNOSIS (MySpace) is moving its first steps in a more classic direction. From Sondrio we head south to BERGAMO, the birthplace of the famous opera composer Gaetano Donizetti. Today in Bergamo opera and prog can merge with the operatic vocals of tenor Mauro Ghilardini (MySpace) and of his prog opera project MINSTREL. In the past from here came out bands like I RAMINGHI, MADRUGADA and MO.DO. Now we find bands like the excellent LA TORRE DELL'ALCHIMISTA (Facebook), PROWLERS (MySpace) and TILION (MySpace). Prowlers’ and Tilion’s keyboardist Alfio Costa (MySpace) recently started also two side projects, one is called COLOSSUS PROJECT (MySpace) while the other one is the more experimental DAAL (MySpace) featuring Roman drummer Davide Guidoni (MySpace). From Bergamo come also LINGALAD (MySpace), a folk rock band inspired by the work of J.R.R. Tolkien, and two emerging bands like HELIANTUS (MySpace) and DARSHAN (MySpace). Not far from Bergamo lies BRESCIA, a city called the Italian Lioness. From here in the seventies came out a band called DALTON. For prog lovers now Brescia is the city of bands such as NOTABENE, CORTE AULICA and the other projects of Gustavo Pasini (MySpace), LITHOS and ALMA SIDERIS (MySpace). By the way, you can legally download for free the albums of Lithos and Alma Sideris just clicking here, here and here. When visiting Brescia, have a break and listen to some good music while having a drink or eating something at the Canterbury Café (MySpace), the owner is Gustavo Pasini himself. From Brescia come also one of the most interesting emerging bands of the Italian prog scene, DEL MAIALE NON SI BUTTA VIA NIENTE (MySpace) that are working on their debut album and DIAMANTE (MySpace), heavy prog oozing love for Uriah Heep. Chiari, a town near Brescia, is the birthplace of musician, composer, producer and former PFM’s member MAURO PAGANI (MySpace). Well, in Chiari there was a bakery called Forneria Marconi that inspired the name of the most famous Italianprog band. In 2009 Mauro Pagani wrote also a novel settled in the prog scene of the seventies, Foto di gruppo con chitarrista. Back west now, to PAVIA, 35 km south of Milan, from where in the past came out I NUMI, ARMONITE and ACROAMA (MySpace). Near Pavia, in the town of Vigevano there are the headquarters of the independent label Ma.Ra.Cash Records (MySpace), specialized in prog. Vigevano is also the hometown of MARY NEWSLETTER (MySpace) and JESTER'S JOKE. East of Pavia lies CREMONA, best known for its musical instrument manufactures: this is the city of the Amati family, Guarneri and Stradivari. From here come out prog bands and artists like MAPPE NOOTICHE (MySpace) and MARIO COTTARELLI (MySpace) while from the near town of Crema came out in the recent past a band called VEDDA TRIBE. Still heading east we conclude our visit to Lombardia in MANTOVA, the city of the classical Roman poet Virgil. Here are based bands like MOONGARDEN (MySpace), SUBMARINE SILENCE (MySpace), OBSCURA (MySpace) and the emerging RADIO LONDRA (MySpace). VENETO Still heading east, we go now to VENETO and to its peculiar and beautiful capital VENEZIA, the city of artists and adventurers such as Antonio Vivaldi, Tomaso Albinoni. Carlo Goldoni, Tintoretto, Giovanni Battista Tiepolo, Canaletto, Giacomo Casanova and Marco Polo. The most famous prog band from Venezia are LE ORME (MySpace - Official fanclub) that started their career in 1966 and are still active and perfectly fit. Former Le Orme’s member TONY PAGLIUCA, who left the band in 1992, follows now a solo career and is still in activity too (Official Website - YouTube). In 1979 Le Orme dedicated an album, Florian, to a famous café of Piazza San Marco, the Caffé Florian, where you can listen to classical chamber music while sipping a drink. Such a kind of atmosphere perfectly fits also the recent works of Venetian pianist and composer LUCIANO BASSO (MySpace), that in the seventies released some interesting prog albums. Another excellent historic local band still in activity are OPUS AVANTRA (MySpace) that recently released a DVD recorded live in Japan, Viaggio Immaginario - Live in Tokyo. In the past from Venezia came out also bands like IL MUCCHIO, I COCAI, SPIROSFERA, BONDAGE and LOST TALES (a band featuring keyboardist ANDREA SIMONETTO - MySpace). Today an interesting contemporary band from Venezia are QUANAH PARKER (MySpace - Official Website) while from the near town of San Donà di Piave comes LORENZO MONNI (MySpace – by the way, you can legally download his first two albums from the Official Website). North of Venezia thare’s TREVISO, from where in the past came out prog bands like CAPSICUM RED, ASGARD, APRYL and FAVERAVOLA, a band formed by veterans, musicians active in the seventies that released in 2007 the beautiful album Contea dei cento castagni. Interesting contemporary bands from this city are APHELION (MySpace - Interview), an instrumental project with metal influences, and MAGNETIC SOUND MACHINE (MySpace), recommended to jazz-rock lovers. Other emerging bands from Treviso are GEO’S (MySpace) and SYNDERESI (MySpace). In Treviso there are also the headquarters of the independent label specialized in prog Lizard Records (MySpace). From the near town of Montebelluna comes bassist and composer ALBERTO RIGONI (MySpace) while from a beautiful place north of Treviso, Cison di Valmarino, come an interesting melodic prog band called EPHEMERIS (MySpace). Still heading north we enter the province of BELLUNO and the amazing alpine area of the Dolomiti, where we can listen to IDEA OSTILE (MySpace) and to a young prog band called ALPHA PRIVATIVO (MySpace). And now back south, to PADOVA, the city of Saint Anthony, 40 km west of Venezia. Padova is also the birth place of the famous architect Andrea Palladio, whose XVIth century ville (country-houses) in the area of Padova, Venezia, Vicenza and Treviso are among the most beautiful of Italy, and of Giovanni Battista Belzoni, adventurer, engineer and Egyptologist to whom is dedicated a new concept album by the prog band Arti e Mestieri, Il grande Belzoni. From Padova in the past came out bands like ENEIDE, MELLONTA TAUTA and AUDIO while the contemporary prog scene features bands like ASTRALIA (MySpace) and HYPNOISE (MySpace). In the seventies here formed also one of the very few bands linked to the right wing movement, LA COMPAGNIA DELL'ANELLO (Facebook - YouTube1 - YouTube2). Their first album Terra di Thule is not bad and should be of some interest for prog lovers. The band is still in activity. South of Padova there is ROVIGO where we can listen to an interesting contemporary band called ANFITEATRO (MySpace). From here in the past came out a band called A PIEDI NUDI. Their guitarist, Nicola Gardinale, has changed musical direction and has formed a blues-rock project, NIC-G AND THE MOGSY (MySpace). Leaving Rovigo, we head now back north to VICENZA, from where in the past came out ABISSI INFINITI and TOP LEFT CORNER. Now it’s the time of an excellent band that combines tradition whit heavier sounds, ABSENTHIA (MySpace) and in 2009 released an excellent self produced debut album, Tenebrae Vinct. Not far from Vicenza, in a town called Bassano del Grappa, from where in the past came out a band called SLOGANS, you can find a very good CD shop, Pick Up Records. We conclude our visit to Veneto in VERONA, the city of Romeo and Juliet. You can find here a good contemporary prog scene featuring excellent bands like D.F.A. (MySpace - Live on UNOTV), LOGOS (MySpace – by the way, you can legally download their first two albums clicking here) and ELETTROSMOG (MySpace). Other prog bands from Verona are MARYGOLD, the emerging SIDE C (MySpace - Live on UNOTV), REQVIEM (MySpace), OLTREMARE (MySpace), CASTELLI IN ARIA (MySpace), AEGON (MySpace), the folk-oriented DOMUS DE JANAS (MySpace) and IL FAUNO DI MARMO (MySpace). A good venue for prog lovers here is the Club il Giardino. TRENTINO-ALTO ADIGE and FRIULI-VENEZIA GIULIA From Verona we head north, going along the shores of the Lake Garda we reach the autonomous region TRENTINO-ALTO ADIGE / SUDTIROL. On the north shore of the lake in the Province of Trento there’s a beautiful town called Riva del Garda from where come out the MEN OF LAKE (MySpace) and RUNAWAY TOTEM. From the near town of Rovereto come the excellent and peculiar UNIVERSAL TOTEM ORCHESTRA (MySpace), AVIOLINEE UTOPIA and the emerging OUTOPSYA (MySpace). Still heading north we reach the Province of Bolzano-Bozen, on the border with Austria, from where come a “neo-prog” band called MAD PUPPET (from the Official Website you can legally download for free all their albums). Until 1918 Trento, Bolzano, Gorizia and Trieste were part of the Austro–Hungarian Empire. So, now we go to TRIESTE, the far east of Northern Italy, on the border with Slovenia, a city loved by the Irish writer James Joyce who taught English here between 1904 and 1920. From Trieste, that now is the capital of the Italian autonomous region FRIULI-VENEZIA GIULIA, comes out GINO D’ELISO, a song-writer who in 1976 released a very interesting album with strong prog influences, Il mare. The most famous contemporary prog band from Trieste are RHAPSODY (OF FIRE), influenced by Dream Theater and classical music. There are here also other interesting prog bands here like the metal influenced SINESTESIA (MySpace) and NOTTURNA (MySpace) or the more original J'ACCUSE..! that in 2008 released an excellent debut album for Mellow Records, Abbandono del tempo e delle forme. Other local bands are PROTEO (MySpace), the “klezmer prog” PASSOVER (MySpace), the experimental L’UOMO E L’OMBRA (Facebook) and the emerging SOUNDRISE (MySpace). Not far from Trieste heading north along the border with Slovenia we reach GORIZIA, on the banks of river Isonzo, from where come out COOPERATIVA DEL LATTE and a very interesting emerging band called THE REBUS (MySpace). We can now cross the old border between Austria-Hungary and Italy and go to UDINE from where in the past came out a project called NASCITA DELLA SFERA. The present prog scene of this city features bands like ASSOLO DI BONGO, QUASAR LUX SYMPHONIAE and the emerging ASTRAL LOOM (MySpace), AIPERION (MySpace) and SO WHAT (MySpace). South of Udine, from Cervignano del Friuli near the ruins of the ancient Roman city of Aquileia come GARDEN WALL (MySpace). We conclude our visit to Friuli-Venezia Giulia in Pordenone from where come out the symphonic prog band BARROCK, IPERICO (MySpace) and INTER NOS (MySpace). Edited by andrea - November 10 2009 at 04:03

andrea Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Prog Reviewer Joined: May 20 2005 Location: Italy Online Status: Offline Posts: 825	Quote Reply Posted: October 18 2009 at 08:28
	EMILIA-ROMAGNA We jump over now to EMILIA-ROMAGNA and to its capital BOLOGNA, famous for its University, the oldest in Europe, and for its cuisine. From here in the past came out a band called SENSITIVA IMMAGINE, but in the seventies the prog scene of this city was not very prolific although the city has been the home of important singer-songwriters like Francesco Guccini, Lucio Dalla and Claudio Lolli. Times have changed and now the musical scene of Bologna features many very interesting prog bands. Here you can find peculiar experimental jazz rock bands like DEUS EX MACHINA (MySpace) and ACCORDO DEI CONTRARI (MySpace) or psychedelic projects like STEREOKIMONO (MySpace) and ALHAMBRA (MySpace). Leader of Alhambra Andrea Monetti (who plays flute in La Maschera di Cera albums) started also other projects like AMANITA, ARJUNA, KU and AMR and leads a small independent label called Fly Agaric! Records. Another excellent band from Bologna are SITHONIA (MySpace), whose members are also involved in side projects like MESEGLISE (MySpace) and SIPARIO (MySpace). Other very interesting local bands are AKT (MySpace), BAROCK PROJECT (MySpace - Official Website), STRANAFONIA (MySpace) and TENMIDNIGHT (MySpace). Among the emerging bands deserve to be mentioned MADRE (MySpace), SEMEION (MySpace), PROPHEXY (MySpace), CHANCE:RISIKO (MySpace) and ENNERDALE (MySpace), the last one born from the ashes of a band called ZABOV (MySpace). If you like an heavy and theatrical approach you can listen to IN TORMENTATA QUIETE (MySpace), definitively closer to Opeth than to the classic Italianprog masters. On the prog folk side there are LA VIA DELLA SETA (MySpace) and ANTICA TRADIZIONE (MySpace), the latter linked to the right wing movements. In Bologna is also based an Italian prog artist from Switzerland, ALEX CARPANI (MySpace): his album Waterline, released in 2007, features on vocals Le Orme’s singer Aldo Tagliapietra and an art cover by Paul Whitehead. The prog scene of Bologna is effervescent and rich but you can find some good music also in the other cities of the region. From FERRARA, 50 km north of Bologna, come a melodic prog band called PROXIMA LUNA (MySpace) while from the near town of Cento come CORMORANO (MySpace). Singer an leader of Cormorano, Raffaello Regoli (Facebook) in the seventies had the chance to meet with Area’s singer Demetrio Stratos and learn from him. Since 1996 he has organized a music festival dedicated to the “Master of Voice”, Rassegna di musica diversa- Omaggio a Demetrio Stratos (Official Website). From a small town south of Bologna, Porretta Terme, comes out the singer-songwriter STEFANO TESTA (MySpace - Interview) and his “prog cantautorale”. South-East of Bologna, from the area called ROMAGNA, where are included the cities of FORLI', CESENA, RAVENNA, RIMINI and the Republic of San Marino, in the past came out bands like GUERCIA and FOGLIE DI VETRO. This area is best known for its discotheques and for its entertainment industry and in the seventies one of this discotheques, L’altro mondo, was famous for the jam sessions of many prog artists. Forlì is also the birthplace of guitarist RICCARDO ZAPPA, an interesting artist that started his career in the seventies and who is still active today. The present prog scene of Romagna features bands like LE ORE DEVIANTI (MySpace) and the prog folk ARABA FENICE (MySpace) and FOLLETTO DELLE VIGNE (MySpace). And now let’s take the Via Aemilia heading north west and visit the other cities of the region. First we go to MODENA, the city of the famous tenor Luciano Pavarotti and of the painter Walter Mac Mazzieri, whose works appear on some prog album covers. Here we can find prog bands like SENZA CODICE (MySpace) and the psychedelic DONKEY BREEDER (MySpace). From Modena come also a popular folk rock band called Modena City Ramblers (MySpace). Although they can hardly be classified as a prog band, their committed “combat folk” has been very influential for the Italian prog-folk scene. Then we go to REGGIO EMILIA, the birthplace of poet Ludovico Ariosto. From here come out bands like MANGALA VALLIS (MySpace - Live on UNOTV), TRAMA SONORA (Official Website - MySpace), MASTER EXPERIENCE (MySpace), ARCANOISE (MySpace) and the young folk prog RESPIRARE CON SPERANZA (MySpace). Not far from Reggio Emilia there is the castle of Canossa. On the initiative of drummer and founder member of Mangala Vallis Gigi Cavalli Cocchi (MySpace) was released in 2006 a prog rock opera, Canossa, inspired by the character of Matilda of Canossa, featuring Mangala Vallis, Arcanoise, Master Experience, Trama Sonora and others. From the near town of Novellara come out one of the most popular Italian rock bands, I Nomadi (Official Website) that in the early seventies released (like almost everyone else in Italy in that period) some albums with soft prog influences that could be of interest for prog lovers. From Reggio Emilia to PARMA, the city of orchestra conductor Arturo Toscanini and of famous opera composer Giuseppe Verdi. From here in the seventies came out ROCKY'S FILJ and ACQUA FRAGILE (MySpace). Franz Dondi, bassist and founder member of Acqua Fragile is still active and tries now to keep the band alive with a renewed line up. A very interesting emerging band from Parma are ALTARE THOTEMICO (MySpace). We conclude our visit to Emilia-Romagna in PIACENZA. The present prog scene of this city features interesting bands like WICKED MINDS (MySpace), MINDFLOWER (MySpace), ART AND ILLUSION (MySpace), DAVID'S LODGERS (MySpace) and PERTEGO’ (MySpace). I recommend also to listen to an excellent band called LAGARTIJA (MySpace - Facebook) and to the emerging BIG MUFF PROJECT (MySpace). TOSCANA And now we cross the northern part of the Apennine Mountains and go to TOSCANA and to its capital FIRENZE, the cradle of Italian Renaissance. This is the city of artists and personalities such as Dante Alighieri, Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Donatello, Sandro Botticelli, Niccolò Machiavelli and Amerigo Vespucci just to name a few. In the past from this city came out prog bands like I CALIFFI; CAMPO DI MARTE; SENSATIONS' FIX; BELLA BAND; TRIADE; STANDARTE; LONDON UNDERGROUND; CHIAVE DI VOLTA and IL TRONO DEI RICORDI. Founder member of Il Trono dei Ricordi, Alessandro Lamuraglia (MySpace) now compose soundtracks for cinema and tv spots while his brother an co-founder of the band, Paolo Lamuraglia, started a prog folk project called CARMAINS ENSEMBLE (MySpace). An excellent contemporary band from Firenze are NUOVA ERA (MySpace), kept alive by keyboardist and leader Walter Pini. Other contemporary bands from Firenze that deserve attention are GOAD (MySpace) and some emerging bands like MAGREDEA (MySpace), BIOFONIA (MySpace), D.S.B. (MySpace), MOTOREIMMOBILE (MySpace) and OMBRA ESTERNA (MySpace). But Toscana is not only Firenze and in the other cities of the region we can find some interesting prog bands too. From a town near Firenze, Sesto Fiorentino, come out an heavy prog band called JUGLANS REGIA (MySpace). Heading west we pass through PRATO, from where come out the experimental LABORATORIO DEL SOGNO LUCIDO (MySpace) and the psychedelic RAVEN SAD (MySpace), then we pass through PISTOIA where we can find some interesting prog folk bands like L’APPRENDISTA BARDO (MySpace - Facebook) and LES GRIOTES (MySpace). From Pistoia comes out also Riccardo Tesi (MySpace) that in the past started a prog folk project called RITMIA. Still heading west towards the coast we pass then through LUCCA, birthplace of composers like Giacomo Puccini, Francesco Geminiani and Luigi Boccherini, from where comes out a peculiar singer-songwriter that should be of some interest for prog fans, EMANUELE BAVIERI (MySpace). On the coast of the Tyrrhenian Sea we visit now the Province of Massa-Carrara. From the city of Carrara, famous for its marble quarries, come out some interesting prog bands like CAGE (MySpace), LETHEAN (MySpace) and the prog folk BEDEDEUM (MySpace) that in 2009 released an excellent committed album, Oltre il sipario, dedicated to the memory of Sacco and Vanzetti, two Italian anarchists executed without a fair trial in the U.S.A. in 1927. Going south we go to PISA, the city famous for its Leaning Tower and hometown of the physicist, mathematician and astronomer Galileo Galilei, son of the lutenist and composer, Vincenzo Galilei. The best known artist from this area is probably tenor Andrea Bocelli who reached the success with Con te partirò (YouTube), a song composed by Francesco Sartori (MySpace) who from 1992 to 1997 was a member of the Venetian prog band Le Orme. From Pisa come out prog bands like EGOBAND (MySpace) and GERMINALE (MySpace). At the moment Germinale are on hiatus, so their guitarist Salvo Lazzara started an acoustic side project called PENSIERO NOMADE (MySpace). Other bands from Pisa are the folk prog FILARMONICA MUNICIPALE LACRISI (MySpace) and the psychedelic CEKE (MySpace), MILVUS (MySpace) and SINCOPE (MySpace) while from the near town of Volterra come out the metal influenced QUINTESSENZA (MySpace). From Pisa to LIVORNO, the birthplace of opera composer Pietro Mascagni. From here in the past came out CAPITOLO 6 (but half of the members of the band were from Viareggio). Now it’s the time of emerging bands like ALFA NEFER (MySpace) and EST MORGANA (MySpace). Still heading south we visit the GROSSETO, where we can listen to some interesting emerging bands like GRAN TURISMO VELOCE (MySpace), GRAMMA (MySpace) and OPIFICIO SONORO MAREMMANO (MySpace). We head north east now, towards he beautiful city of SIENA, best known for a special horse race that dates from the middle-age, the Palio di Siena. From here in the seventies came out an interesting “Christian” prog band, GENFUOCO. Siena is also the home of an interesting a progressive rock webzine, Arlequins. In the Province of Siena are based some interesting prog bands like PROFUSION (MySpace), ZUNDAPP (MySpace) and LABIRINTO DI SPECCHI (MySpace). Still heading north east we conclude our visit to Toscana in AREZZO from where come out a very promising band called THREE MONKS (MySpace). MARCHE And now back to the coast of the Adriatic Sea to the region called LE MARCHE. From URBINO, the birthplace of painter Raphael, in the northern Province of Pesaro and Urbino, in the late sixties came out ANONIMA SOUND LTD., while from PESARO, the birthplace of opera composer Gioachino Rossini, come out the interesting contemporary band ODESSA (MySpace) and two emerging bands like ROSSO IMPERFETTO (MySpace) and the prog folk RICATTI ACUSTICI (MySpace). Heading south we pass through the town of Senigallia, where we find a prog folk band called SILVEREA’S DAFFODIL (MySpace), then we reach ANCONA, the capital of the region. From this city in the seventies came out a jazz rock band called AGORA'. Now the prog scene of Ancona features the experimental GARAMOND (MySpace), the prog folk OLOFERNE (MySpace - Last.fm) and an emerging band called VICARUS (MySpace). Still heading south we go to MACERATA where we find a young band called ACID RAIN (MySpace). Near this city lies Recanati, hometown of poet Giacomo Leopardi and of tenor Beniamino Gigli, from where in the past came out bands like LOTHLORIEN and MALLEUS. The present prog scene of the province of Macerata features also THE MODS (MySpace) from the town of Civitanova Marche, and PANGAEA (MySpace) from Camerino. We conclude our visit to Le Marche in ASCOLI PICENO where we can listen to the emerging EXPROSIN (MySpace) and PARADISO SOTTERRANEO (MySpace). UMBRIA An now we go east, to UMBRIA and to its capital PERUGIA. Perugia is a beautiful city full of art and history but nowadays it’s best known for a mysterious crime that continues to make the highlights of the newspapers, the Murder of Meredith Kercher. Perhaps is not by chance that from here come an excellent prog band like IL BACIO DELLA MEDUSA (MySpace - Interview) that in 2007 released a wonderful concept album inspired by the dark story of Paolo Malatesta and Francesca da Rimini, Discesa agl'inferi d'un giovane amante. Other contemporary bands from Perugia are THIS HARMONY (MySpace - Last.fm) and RED ONIONS (MySpace) while in the past from here came out L' ESTATE DI SAN MARTINO. Perugia is also the hometown of Augusto Croce (MySpace), founder of the site Italianprog.com, a precious resource for Italian prog lovers. From a town north east of Perugia, Gubbio, come out THE TITANS (MySpace) that recently released their debut album for Musea Records while from the near town of Gualdo Tadino comes GIAMPAOLO CAVALIERI (MySpace). South east of Perugia there’s Assisi, the birthplace of Francis of Assisi, patron saint of the animals. From here come an interesting emerging prog band called PNEUMA (MySpace). Heading south we pass through the town of Foligno from where come out bands like MELPEIN (MySpace), IN ASSENZA (MySpace) and NIAGARA (MySpace). Then we visit Spoleto where every year is held a summer music and opera festival called the Festival dei Due Mondi. Here we can listen to prog bands like VIEUX CARRE (MySpace) and ALIAS MUNDI (MySpace), an emerging bands born from the ashes of SEMI INFERMITA’ MENTALE (MySpace - Last.fm). Our next stop is TERNI, the city of Saint Valentine, from where comes the prog artist Roberto Vallerignani and his project called UD (MySpace). We conclude our visit to Umbria in Orvieto where we can listen to a band called GERICO (MySpace). LAZIO For the next stage of our journey we head south west, to LAZIO and to The Eternal City, the capital of Italy, ROMA. The prog scene of Roma has always been extremely rich. From here in the seventies came out, amog others, bands such as IL PAESE DEI BALOCCHI, SEMIRAMIS, IL ROVESCIO DELLA MEDAGLIA, PANNA FREDDA, REALE ACCADEMIA DI MUSICA, QUELLA VECCHIA LOCANDA, RACCOMANDATA RICEVUTA RITORNO, L' UOVO DI COLOMBO, LIBRA, FLEA / FLEA ON THE HONEY, ETNA, PIERROT LUNAIRE, ALBERO MOTORE, BUON VECCHIO CHARLIE, BAUHAUS, OFFICINA MECCANICA, KALEIDON, SAMADHI, LA SECONDA GENESI, I TEOREMI, RUSTICHELLI & BORDINI, CANZONIERE DEL LAZIO, CARNASCIALIA, GROSSO AUTUNNO, STRADAPERTA (Official Website - MySpace), ARS NOVA, JANUS, QUEL GIORNO DI UVE ROSSE and in more recent times EZRA WINSTON, GALLANT FARM, DIVAE, MIRAGE, VENUS TEBLA, LA N.A.V.E. and MONTEFELTRO. Some prog bands and artists that began their career in the seventies are still active, like METAMORFOSI, MURPLE and TOTO TORQUATI (MySpace) who in 2009 released a new album called Vita, Amore e Musica, featuring the liner notes by his old “pupil” Claudio Baglioni that now one of best known Italian melodic song-writers. Former member of Pierrot Lunaire, ARTURO STALTERI (MySpace) after the split up of the band started a solo career and is still active too. In Roma were also formed PERIGEO, the most famous Italian prog jazz band, that recently reunited for some live performances. Another famous and influential prog band from Roma are GOBLIN / CHERRY FIVE (two names for the same band!). The success of the band is bound to their soundtracks for Dario Argento’s films. Four of the original members reunited in 2005 and are keeping the band alive while founder member, keyboardist and composer Claudio Simonetti (MySpace) started another project called DAEMONIA (MySpace) performing old Goblin’s pieces with new arrangements. Another former member of the band, Maurizio Guarini, is now based in Canada where he has formed another project to perform Goblin’s repertoire, ORCO MUTO (MySpace). The most famous prog rock band from Roma are BANCO DEL MUTUO SOCCORSO, that started their career in the seventies and are still active today. To be more exact they come from small town in the surroundings of Roma, Marino. From Marino come also a very interesting emerging band called SENZA NOME (MySpace). Banco del Mutuo Soccorso’s members Rodolfo Maltese and Pierluigi Calderoni are also involved an interesting side project called INDACO while Alessandro Papotto (who features in the new BMS’ line up) plays with PERIFERIA DEL MONDO (MySpace). VITTORIO NOCENZI, FRANCESCO DI GIACOMO and RODOLFO MALTESE (MySpace) have also released some solo albums. The present Roman prog scene is rich and features bands such as the recently reformed neo prog LEVIATHAN (Facebook), ARPIA (MySpace), DORACOR (MySpace), DUNWICH (MySpace), MAD CRAYON (MySpace), GREENWALL (MySpace), FONDERIA (MySpace), TAPROBAN (MySpace), VU METERS (MySpace), RANESTRANE (MySpace – you can listen to their complete debut album on Last.fm) and NOSOUND (MySpace). Nosound’s guitarist Paolo Vigliarolo before join Giancarlo Erra in Nosound played with a band called IL BACIO DI GIUDA and it’s a pity that this project came to an and. Anyway you can still download some tracks from their first demo clicking here. Il Bacio di Giuda’s former vocalist Marco Tesoriero (MySpace) now follows a solo project of music and poetry. In Roma there are many pubs and venues where you can attend prog rock concerts, but at least one in particular deserves a mention, Stazione Birra. Among the many Roman emerging bands in my opinion deserve to be mentioned EDERADIRAME (MySpace - Cantine.org) and LA BOCCA DELLA VERITA’ (MySpace) but also, in no particular order KEYBRIDGE (MySpace), LAYRA (MySpace), AMPIO SPETTRO (MySpace), GREY LAGOON (MySpace), MYTHO (MySpace), MASTER OF CEREMONY (MySpace), LINEATEORICA (MySpace), IL CAVALLO DI DON JUAN (MySpace), LA DANZA DEI FAUNI (MySpace), SIMPOSIO D’AGOSTO (MySpace), VENDETTA DI MONTEZUMA (MySpace), PRAELUDIUM (MySpace), NOGALES (MySpace), ARVALIA (MySpace), APPLE DEVICE (MySpace), OVERFOURTEEN (MySpace) and ALCHIMIA (MySpace). The best known post rock band from Roma are probably NOVEMBRE (MySpace), while among the emerging post rock bands there are AIIR (MySpace), IL SILENZIO DI GHISA (MySpace) and LA SECONDA ECLISSE (MySpace). For jazz rock lovers should be of interest ANAGRAMMA (MySpace), CIRCOLO CULTURALE FEDERICO MAGNANI (MySpace), VIRTUAL DREAM (MySpace) and STARALFUR (MySpace) while on the prog folk side there are YPSOS (MySpace) and VERBAMANENT (MySpace). Anyway Lazio is not only Roma. There are prog bands also in other towns in the surroundings like THE BALMUNG (MySpace) from Mentana, LA SFERA (MySpace) from Velletri, FALENA (MySpace) from Rocca di Papa and LILY ALICE (MySpace) from Anzio. We conclude our visit to this region in VITERBO, from where in the seventies came out BLOCCO MENTALE. Now here we can listen to an emerging melodic prog band called ARCHAEOPTERYX (MySpace). ABRUZZO - MOLISE And now we head east, where we visit the regions ABRUZZO and MOLISE. Passing through the injured city of L'AQUILA, we can listen to the prog influenced singer-songwriter CRISTIAN DI PROSPERO (MySpace) and to his notes inspired by 2009 L'Aquila earthquake. Then we reach the Adriatic coast and the province of TERAMO, from where come PICAROON’S SPARK (MySpace), ECLISSE and CLEPSYDRA (MySpace), the latter from Giulianova, a town on the coast north of Teramo. From a small centre in the province of Teramo, Isola del Gran Sasso d'Italia, in the Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga National Park comes out a peculiar artist, the painter Tonino Leandro Mirandi, great prog fan whose work includes many paintings inspired by the music of Le Orme (by the way, my avatar is one of them called Ritorno al nulla: verso la fine). Heading south along the coast we reach PESCARA, the birthplace of controversial poet and writer Gabriele d'Annunzio. From here in the past came out DIAPASON, PREGHIERA DI SASSO and AKRON, a band that released two albums for Black Widow Records, while today this city is the base of bands like AREKNAMÉS (MySpace), XENITIA (MySpace) and UNIMOTHER 27 (MySpace) and the dark AKRONOIS (MySpace), born from the ashes of AKRON. Then, still heading south we go to CHIETI, where we find NUDA VERITAS (MySpace). Next stop is the near town of Ortona, where we can listen to DISTILLERIE DI MALTO (MySpace). We conclude our visit to Abruzzo and Molise in the province of CAMPOBASSO, homeland of the contemporary band IF / IFSOUNDS (MySpace). CAMPANIA And now we head south west, to CAMPANIA and to its volcanic capital, NAPOLI. The Music of Napoli is famous all over the world, especially the Canzone Napoletana that has become a true genre of melodic song on itself. From here in the past came out prog artists and bands such as ALAN SORRENTI, CERVELLO, CITTÀ FRONTALE, UNO, NOVA, FABIO CELI E GLI INFERMIERI, GIGI PASCAL E LA POP COMPAGNIA MECCANICA, LUCIANO CILIO and SAINT JUST. Former members of Saint Just JENNY SORRENTI (MySpace) and TITO RINESI (MySpace) are still active with solo careers and perhaps a reunion of the old band is possible. The best known historic prog band from Napoli are OSANNA (MySpace) that are still active with a renewed line up and are absolutely fit on stage. In 2009 they released a new album, Prog Family featuring new arrangements of their old pieces and David Jackson (MySpace) as a special guest. Other Neapolitan bands from the seventies still active today are IL BALLETTO DI BRONZO (MySpace), with a new line up featuring old keyboardist Gianni Leone, and NAPOLI CENTRALE, the band of saxophonist James Senese (MySpace). By the way, for a short period the line up of Napoli Centrale featured on bass Pino Daniele who is now one of the best known Neapolitan artists. The contemporary scene from Napoli features also bands like I PENNELLI DI VERMEER (MySpace), GECKO'S TEAR (MySpace), GRIMALKIN (MySpace) and MALAAVIA (MySpace). From Napoli come out also PRESENCE and their vocalist and solo artist SOPHYA BACCINI (MySpace). Among the emerging bands deserve to be mentioned, among others, ZION (MySpace), GORGEOUS (MySpace), CONTROTEMPO (MySpace) and the jazz rock SLIVOVITZ (MySpace). Heading south along the Tyrrhenian Sea cost we pass through the beautiful Amalfi Coast and reach the next stop, SALERNO, where we can listen to emerging prog bands like GOYAH (MySpace), CAMERA CHIARA (MySpace) and another band called LOTHLORIEN (MySpace – to not be confused with a band with the same name based in the Marche). In the surroundings we find also bands like INDAGINI SU UN CITTADINO AL DI SOPRA DI OGNI SOSPETTO (MySpace), from Angri, and MAGNI ANIMI VIRI (MySpace), from Battipaglia. Heading north we go now to AVELLINO, in an area called Irpinia. From here come out prog artistas and bands like NOTTURNO CONCERTANTE (MySpace), GUERNICA (MySpace) and ODERIGI LUSI (MySpace). For the next stage of our journey we head north westh, to CASERTA, best known for its Royal Palace. Here we can listen to a young prog band called AGASIAS (MySpace) while from the near town of Capua come out another young emerging prog band called DAMA DEL LAGO (MySpace). Heading east, we conclude our visit to Campania in BENEVENTO where we can listen to prog bands like ALGEBRA (Facebook), ONIRIC (MySpace) and POTSDAMER PLATZ (MySpace). PUGLIA Heading east now, for the next leg we go back to the Adriatic coast, to PUGLIA. We go first to BARLETTA, best known for the Disfida di Barletta. Here we can listen to a young psychedelic prog band called ORIENT EXPRESS (MySpace), then we turn south and we pass through the town of Bisceglie, birthplace of guitar virtuoso and composer Mauro Giuliani. Still heading south along the coast we pass through the town of Monopoli where we can listen to two interesting emerging bands like LA BIBLIOTECA DESERTA (MySpace) and CORRIDOIO... CON FIGURE E LUCI (MySpace). Still heading south we arrive to BARI, the capital of this region. The best known artist from Bari is probably Domenico Modugno, but from here in the seventies came out also some good prog bands like FESTA MOBILE and IL BARICENTRO. The present prog scene of the city is rich of interesting and very promising bands like FLOATING STATE (MySpace), ASSENZIO (MySpace - Last.fm), U’PAPUN (MySpace), LA VARIANTE DI CHEVAC (MySpace - Facebook), LE MARIONETTE RIBELLI (MySpace), ODI ET AMO (MySpace), ARCHITRAVE INDIPENDENTE (MySpace), TELENAUTI (MySpace) and the excellent Mediterranean ethno-pop project RADIODERVISH (MySpace). Before heading south along the coast there’s the time to have a quick look at Gravina in Puglia, a town west of Bari in an area called Murgia. He we can listen to an emerging band called LA QUINTA ESSENZA (MySpace). Leaving Bari, heading south we first pass through the town of Molfetta where we can listen to OBSCURE PATHS (MySpace) and then through the “white town” of Ostuni, where we can listen to TRIMAIRA (MySpace) and SILENT TEARS (MySpace - Last.fm). Our next halt is the city of BRINDISI, where we can listen to AUFKLARUNG (MySpace). Then, finally, we arrive to LECCE, the main city of an area called Salento, the south eastern extremity of Italy. This area is best known for a peculiar dance called pizzica and for an annual music festival dedicated to this dance, La Notte della Taranta. From this area come out prog bands like ABASH (MySpace), ARIA PALEA (MySpace), TEMPU’S (MySpace), MUZAK (MySpace), HISTORIA (MySpace) and the dark IMPERO DELLE OMBRE (MySpace). For our next stop we head north west along the coast of the Ionian Sea, to the city of TARANTO where we conclude our visit to Puglia. From here come out some interesting prog bands like PLURIMA MUNDI (MySpace), RITRATTO DI UN MATTINO (MySpace), SIN TERRA (MySpace), LE MECCANICHE ILLUSIONI (MySpace), NUCLIDE (MySpace) and, from the near town of Grottaglie, VINO ZINGARO E LA SOSPENSIONE DEL GIUDIZIO (MySpace). BASILICATA and CALABRIA We head now north west, to BASILICATA and to its capital, POTENZA. Here we can listen to a psychedelic prog project called LA SCeNTIFICA (MySpace). Then we set off, direction south west, we leave Basilicata and go to CALABRIA. We pass first through COSENZA, from where come out a prog band called OMBRE LUNGHE (Cantine.org), then we halt in CATANZARO where we can listen to two emerging bands like ARIDHA (MySpace) and NERA LUCE (MySpace). Catanzaro is also the birthplace of ENZO CAPUANO (Interview) that in the seventies released an interesting prog album, Storia mai scritta, and is now a well known opera singer. Still heading west we finally reach REGGIO CALABRIA, the largest city in the region, where we conclude our short visit to Basilicata and Calabria. From here come out prog bands like JET LAG (Facebook), AKHENHATON (MySpace) and XII ICONA (MySpace), while from the near town of Palmi in the seventies came out an excellent prog band called APOTEOSI. SICILIA It’s time now to challenge Scylla and Charybdis and to cross the Strait of Messina. We begin in this way our visit to SICILIA, an island and an autonomous region of Italy. We pass through the city of MESSINA, where is settled William Shakespeare’s comedy Much Ado About Nothing, and we head south along the coast until we arrive in the small town of Santa Teresa di Riva, near the beautiful ancient town of Taormina, where we can listen to CONQUEROR (MySpace), a very interesting contemporary prog band that in 2007 released a beautiful concept album, 74 Giorni, that was inspired by the shipwreck and the consequent struggle for life of Italian adventurer Ambrogio Fogar. Still heading south, we pass through the town of Acireale, almost at the foot of Mount Etna, from where come an interesting emerging band called MECHANICAL BUTTERFLY (MySpace). Next stop is CATANIA, the birthplace of opera composer Vincenzo Bellini. From here come out prog artists and bands like FRANCO BATTIATO, MALIBRAN (MySpace) and EDITH (MySpace). Still heading south we pass through SIRACUSA, city founded by the ancient Greeks and rich of history. Its most famous character is the ancient inventor Archimedes. Here we can listen to a peculiar and theatrical “folk metal” band like FIABA (MySpace). Then, heading south west we reach RAGUSA, the ancient Hybla Heraea, where we can listen to RANDONE (MySpace), an excellent band that in 2006 released an amazing concept album about the history of this city, Hybla Act 1. Our next halt is in the near town of Modica, in the Hyblaean Mountains, where we find an interesting emerging band called MAS-NADA (MySpace). We head now north west, to the centre of Sicilia, to CALTANISSETTA, where we find an emerging prog band called NEAMATIS (MySpace). Then we point south west, to AGRIGENTO, best known for an archaeological site, the Valle dei Templi. To this area is dedicated an album by prog jazz band Perigeo, La Valle dei Templi, featuring a beautiful art cover. In this area, in the imaginary city of Vigata, are settled the crime stories of Commissario Montalbano, a character created by the famous Italian writer Andrea Camilleri. From here come a dark and “catacombal” prog project called ULTIMA MISSA (MySpace). We head north west now, to the seaport town of Marsala, a place usually associated to Giuseppe Garibaldi and to his Expedition of the Thousand and best known for its Marsala wine. From here come out two prog bands like BRAINDEAD and IL CASTELLO DELLE UOVA (MySpace) while from the near city of TRAPANI comes out a prog project called TP OVERDRIVE (MySpace). Then we head east and conclude our visit to Sicilia in its capital, PALERMO. From here in the seventies came out ERA DI ACQUARIO, while today we can listen to two very interesting contemporary prog bands like BRIGHT HORIZON (Facebook) and CORAL CAVES (MySpace – Interview). SARDEGNA It’s time now to set off and sail across the sea pointing north west, to another Italian island and autonomous region, SARDEGNA, and to its capital CAGLIARI. From here in the past came out prog artists and bands like PIERPAOLO BIBBO' and GRUPPO 2001. Gruppo 2001’s keyboardist and singer PIERO MARRAS (MySpace) is still active and is now one of the most appreciated singer-songwriters from Saredegna. The present prog scene from Cagliari features an interesting band like ECLISSE / YLECLIPSE (MySpace) that in 2008 released a concept album, Trails Of Ambergris, about the history of the island and freely inspired by the events of 1792-1793, when the French army tried to occupy Sardegna. Other prog bands from this city are the emerging ENTITY (MySpace) and SISTEMA (MySpace). The other cities of the island have also their prog bands. From ORISTANO in the seventies came out SALIS while today it’s the time of a band called NUR (MySpace). From SASSARI, in the north western part of the region, come out WHITE SUNSET (MySpace), while from the province of NUORO come out an emerging band called GETSEMANI (MySpace). Our prog tour of Italy comes to an end by now. Anyway, after a break in the beautiful Costa Smeralda, you can always take a ferry-boat from the seaport town of Olbia, cross the sea, land back on the Italian Peninsula and have another spin! Edited by andrea - November 18 2009 at 16:01

NotAProghead Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Special Collaborator Errors & Omissions Team Joined: October 22 2005 Location: Russia Online Status: Offline Posts: 1737	Quote Reply Posted: October 18 2009 at 08:39
	Great job, Andrea! Your article can be used as a good guide through RPI.
	Who are you and who am I to say we know the reason why... (D. Gilmour)

Finnforest Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List Special Collaborator Honorary Collaborator / RPI Specialist Joined: February 03 2007 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 3835	Quote Reply Posted: October 18 2009 at 08:43
	Andrea, that is freakin' fantastic. Grazie my friend. My Italian tour itinerary is now complete. And he even gets the the Architrave and the Il Babau on there, damn I am impressed! Seriously, thanks for this outstanding piece which I look forward to absorbing into my cranium.
	Enter my prog den "You're a Kara Thrace fanboy." -my SO

American Khatru Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: March 28 2009 Location: New York Online Status: Offline Posts: 423	Quote Reply Posted: October 19 2009 at 08:29
	Goodness. You should get paid for such work! I know of course it isn't about money, but still! Going to print this out now to read on train. Thank you from the bottom of my little prog-lovin' heart.
	Why must my spell-checker continually underline the word "prog"?

Luca Pacchiarini Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: March 08 2009 Location: Empoli, Tuscany Online Status: Offline Posts: 327	Quote Reply Posted: October 19 2009 at 09:38
	Amazing work, very accurate
	Let's see, taking these statements one at a time: No you can't and no you can't and yes you have and no you won't.

UpsideDown Ocean Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: August 13 2009 Location: Italy Online Status: Offline Posts: 30	Quote Reply Posted: October 19 2009 at 16:20
	really great and accurate work!!! guess i'll discover a lot of bands i didn't know thanks to you!! great job!
	I always liked to talk to people I don't know...with them I feel safe and sane... (Italo Svevo, Zeno's Conscience)

Alberto Muñoz Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: July 26 2006 Location: Mexico Online Status: Offline Posts: 2869	Quote Reply Posted: October 19 2009 at 17:04
	very good Andrea!!!


J-Man Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Special Collaborator Progressive Metal Team Joined: August 07 2008 Location: Philadelphia,PA Online Status: Offline Posts: 3649	Quote Reply Posted: October 19 2009 at 20:12
	Nice job, Andrea! I don't know too much about RPI, so this really could be helpful! -Jeff
	Anyone can join FaceBook. It takes a true warrior to join ProgArchives.

sinkadotentree Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Prog Reviewer Joined: August 27 2006 Location: Canada Online Status: Offline Posts: 1557	Quote Reply Posted: October 23 2009 at 15:33
	Incredible job Andrea ! This is really going to help a lot of people including myself.You should win some award for this.
	"The storms gone away-so come my kingdom come-come today" Anekdoten

tszirmay Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Special Collaborator Symphonic Team Joined: August 17 2006 Location: Canada Online Status: Online Posts: 2259	Quote Reply Posted: October 24 2009 at 10:20
	Forza Andrea, che bello lavoro! Amazing work, you are a maestro!
	"Secret career in counter-espionage, covering his fear in clever camouflage" Robert Calvert .Pretentiousness is valid only if there is no talent! Thomas

orchestre celesti Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: October 24 2009 Location: torino Online Status: Offline Posts: 2	Quote Reply Posted: October 24 2009 at 11:12
	Enjoy Orchestre Celesti New Album: " Black & Red": a feq song in http://www.myspace.com/orchestrecelesti , also entirely available in http://amiestreet.com/music/orchestre-celesti/ Thank you in advance for your comments. Italian Prog ON!

orchestre celesti Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: October 24 2009 Location: torino Online Status: Offline Posts: 2	Quote Reply Posted: October 24 2009 at 11:15
	Enjoy Orchestre Celesti new album: "Black & Red": a few track on http://www.myspace.com/orchestrecelesti and entirely available in http://amiestreet.com/music/orchestre-celesti/. Thank you in advance for your comments.

andrea Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Prog Reviewer Joined: May 20 2005 Location: Italy Online Status: Offline Posts: 825	Quote Reply Posted: October 25 2009 at 05:22
	Thank you for the positive comments!

psarros Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: March 15 2007 Location: Athens, Greece Online Status: Offline Posts: 108	Quote Reply Posted: October 25 2009 at 16:49
	Awesome!Trully awesome!!! Bravo Andrea e grazie tanto!!!

mourningknight Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: October 20 2007 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 96	Quote Reply Posted: October 25 2009 at 17:29
	This is incredible. RPI is in my top three favorite sub genres (with Symphonic and Eclectic) and I am looking forward to reading this fully. Thank you!


Nightfly Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Prog Reviewer Joined: August 01 2007 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 1484	Quote Reply Posted: November 03 2009 at 12:40
	Fascinating reading Andrea, the RPI genre is a bottomless pit of bands waiting to be discovered. Until a few years ago I knew little of it besides PFM and still feel like I'm only scratching the surface but have made some excellent discoveries, my latest favourite being Biglietto Per L'inferno, awesome stuff! Excellent work

memowakeman Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Special Collaborator Italian Prog Specialist Joined: May 19 2005 Location: Mexico City Online Status: Offline Posts: 10525	Quote Reply Posted: November 03 2009 at 21:26
	This is excellent, awesome Andrea!!
	www.elfonia.com www.cabezasdecera.com.mx

andrea Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Prog Reviewer Joined: May 20 2005 Location: Italy Online Status: Offline Posts: 825	Quote Reply Posted: November 04 2009 at 04:08
	Thanks, by the way I'v just up-dated the article including a few more links... I really hope you can enjoy the journey

katatsumuri Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: July 18 2007 Online Status: Offline Posts: 9	Quote Reply Posted: November 07 2009 at 15:57
	wow! great work! complimenti! I take this chance to suggest a particular band to everybody...it's called "Emily's Mystic Game" (http://www.myspace.com/mysticgame), they are from Milano and they are really young! I'm not sure but I think they're all under 20 years old...I've seen them playing live the day before yesterday and I was extremely impressed...check it out!
	give birth to a smile...