The Italian Prog Appreciation den

Todd wrote: ^ Great list! I couldn't think of any other titles that you missed. You have a great knack for finding bands and new releases! Between you and Pierre, we should all have lots of new things to listen to constantly! Thanks! I agree with your assessments above for the most part, although I liked Camelia's Garden more than you did. What are your favorites from the year? Top ten maybe? Open question for everyone! Right now I can say my number one is Ingranaggi della Valle--after that, I'll have to sort some out. I know what would be on the list (Unreal City, Aldo Tagliapietra, Tugs, Distillerie di Malto, etc) but I need to sort out the order.

I definetly missed one I really like (and I'm sure there are much more):

Collettivo Ginsberg: Asa Nisi Masa (really vivid Avant etc,)

and made some mistakes: Zaum ist not Neo Prog of course (to much strg+c)

If I could only keep one it would be Ingranaggi della Valle: In hoc signo (by far).

I like many different styles of Prog, and I don't compare them like this is better than that. So my Top 10 would change depending on what mood I'm in.

Those you listed are definetly among the must haves...

Todd wrote: ^ Okay, your must haves, then! In no particular order, of course.

Just because you asked for it

(there at least another 10 that I wouldn't want to miss though)

in no particular order:

Ingranaggi della Valle - In Hoc Signo (jazzy retro RPI of the highest order, best of 2013)
Tugs - Europa Minor (very good Prog Folk)
Altare Thotemico - Sogno Errando (very strong Jazz Prog like DeM, Area..)
IL TEMPIO DELLE CLESSIDRE - alieNatura (somewhat harder, but brilliant second album)
SOPHYA BACCINI'S ARADIA - Big Red Dragon (very good symphonic Prog concept album)
Aldo Tagliapietra - L'angelo rinchiuso (wow, as good as classic Le Orme)
Pandora - Alibi filosofico (very good stuff, as always)
Distillerie di Malto "Suono!" (very very good second after a loooooong time, great!)
Unreal City - La Crudeltà Di Aprile (strong symphonic Prog)
Le Maschere di Clara - L'alveare (one of the best RIO Avant bands with strong second album, MP3 only)

Thanks for the thorough list, H! I’ve listed below the nes I’ve bought, I might update it also with the ones I’ve reviewed, always happy to spread the word on these sort of releases!

Ingranaggi della Valle - In Hoc Signo – One of the years best, probably my favourite modern Italian release this year!
Tugs - Europa Mino – Very strong too, heaps of variety on this one.
La Maschera Di Cera - Le Porte Del Domani – Lovely and reliable, nice production and performances.
Unreal City - La Crudeltà Di Aprile – Such a talented young band, one of the year’s best as well!
Oxhuitza - Oxhuitza A sweet little instrumental album, lots of youthful energy!
Homunculus Res - Limiti all'eguaglianza della Parte con il Tutto I think a lot of others like this one more than me, kind of Canterbury styled?
La Coscienza di Zeno - Sensitività – HAd this for a while, but not listened to it yet!
Museo Rosenbach - Barbarica Not bad, but there’s been much stronger comeback albums than this one. Need to listen more.
ARTI E MESTIERI - The Live – Like above, had this CD/DVD for a little while, but not listened to much yet!
Progenesi - Ulisse One of my personal favourites, in my Top 10 for 2013, Always puts me in a great mood, a lovely and sprightly instrumental work.
IL TEMPIO DELLE CLESSIDRE - alieNatura - Need to listen to more, but very good, just hasn’t won me over as much as the first album yet! I’m sure it will happen!
SOPHYA BACCINI'S ARADIA - Big Red Dragon - Very epic symphonic Prog, like a female Ayreon or somethng!)
THREE MONKS - The Legend of the Holy Circle – Love this!! Booming church organ instrumental prog, beautiful stuff!
IL SEGNO DEL COMANDO - Il Volto Verde – Got this waiting in an order, haven’t hear it yet, but loved their previous two!
Il Cerchio d'Oro - Dedalo e Icaro – Lovely, melodic if undemanding symphonic Prog, very easy to enjoy.
Camelias Garden - You have a Chance Got this, but not played it yet, shame about the English vocals here!
No Sound - Afterthoughts – Didn’t bother with this, I have two of their other albums, and their music is kind of drony and downbeat.
Hostsonaten - Alive in Theatre – A very grand and tasteful symphonic theatrical live performance.
Submarine Silence - There's Something Very Strange in her Little Room – Very disappointed with this one too, URGH, those vocals!!
L'Albero Del Veleno "Le Radici Del Male" – An easy Goblin styled debut, promising young band!

In Sonar "L'Enfant et le Ménure" / Nichelodeon "Bath Salts" – exhausting and demanding avant garde vocal driven works, I’m still trying to complete my review of it!

Baracca&Burattini “Bib-Rambla” – LOVE this one, lovely organ led instrumental jazz
Kundalini Shakti Devi "Kundalini Shakti Devi" – A nice unreleased album frm the 70’s, no classic but very fine.
Periferia Del Mondo "Nel Regno Dei Ciechi" No doubt, the absolute dud of the year. Mostly awful album, and far too high a quality from Italy this year to give this one a pass.

Le Porte Non Aperte - "Golem" – A punchy first album, I think a followup will be even better!
Daemonia - Zombi/Dawn of the Dead – a rerelease on an older CD from a boxset, nice if somewhat forgettable!
Il Babau & i maledetti cretini - La Maschera Della Morte Rossa – Shame it’s so short, but very high quality music and packaging. Can’t wait for the next installment!

I also got an album by Alessandro Bertoni – Keystone – an instrumental fusion album with great keyboards and especially bass playing. Promising debut.

Thanks again for your list, H! There;s a few I didn’t know, so will look into them all!

Todd wrote: Utnapishtim wrote: Benvenuto! Marco, you've been writing some great reviews.

Thanks ABB,

You should add Distillerie di Malto "Suono!" to your collection.

A very strong late addition to the best Italo Prog this year.

The new Il Segno del Comando is very different to the first
album (haven't heard the second, much better vocals (if you like female
operatic ones) but also much harder gothic rock.

Edited by TheH - January 05 2014 at 09:28

Utnapishtim wrote: TheH wrote: Thanks ABB, You should add Distillerie di Malto "Suono!" to your collection. A very strong late addition to the best Italo Prog this year. The new Il Segno del Comando is very different to the first album (haven't heard the second, much better vocals (if you like female operatic ones) but also much harder gothic rock. Hi, have you already heard new album of Distillerie Di Malto?...I can't find it

Yes, I got the CD on Friday. Ordered it direct from Musea.
Obviously I got the last one they had in stock.

There is an offer at Amazon Germany (obviously not on Amazon Italy though)

http://www.amazon.de/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?__mk_de_DE=%C3%85M%C3%85%C5%BD%C3%95%C3%91&url=search-alias%3Dpopular&field-keywords=Malto+suono!&rh=n%3A255882%2Ck%3AMalto+suono!

Hey Dave.

RPI has been clinging to my ears like mad, raving romantic Italian these last few months. I think your list looks great and certainly their are a few artist there that I need to check out cause I just haven't yet, namely Area. Heard great things. Anyway, I think you can add THREE MONKS, ALPHATAURUS, INRANAGGI DELLA VALLE, IL CERCHIO D'ORO and my most recent favourite UNREAL CITY who certainly had the RPI album of the year for me with LA CRUDELTA DI APRILE. So impressive. Enjoy your day...looks like your doing so and I think your friends are in good hands with you.
Lucky to have your good tastes and fine sensibilities. It's a beautiful genre and funny enough it was actually GOBLIN that lewered me into the RPI genre itself, mainly cause of their gothic appeal. :)

progbethyname wrote: Hey Dave. RPI has been clinging to my ears like mad, raving romantic Italian these last few months. I think your list looks great and certainly their are a few artist there that I need to check out cause I just haven't yet, namely Area. Heard great things. Anyway, I think you can add THREE MONKS, ALPHATAURUS, INRANAGGI DELLA VALLE, IL CERCHIO D'ORO and my most recent favourite UNREAL CITY who certainly had the RPI album of the year for me with LA CRUDELTA DI APRILE. So impressive. Enjoy your day...looks like your doing so and I think your friends are in good hands with you. Lucky to have your good tastes and fine sensibilities. It's a beautiful genre and funny enough it was actually GOBLIN that lewered me into the RPI genre itself, mainly cause of their gothic appeal. :)

Thanks for mentioning my band, L'Albero Del Veleno!

The complete album is available free in streaming:

http://alberodelveleno.bandcamp.com

Claudio_LADV wrote: Thanks for mentioning my band, L'Albero Del Veleno! The complete album is available free in streaming: http://alberodelveleno.bandcamp.com

Listening...!