IN HOC SIGNO

Unreal! Right up there with La Maschera di Cera's Le Porte del Domani, new Italian prog that can hold its own with the very best out of the 1970s, and I can't believe I'm actually saying this! I think a lot of bands in recent years have learned from past mistakes (mistakes too many bands did in the past was nasty digital contemporary production, which many didn't have the knack, and often ended up sterile, and most of all the habit of cramming as much music on one CD as possible so quality control has gone astray and often made for a tedious listen). Ingranaggi della Valle is an incredible band of fusion and prog, in fact this band could have easily fit the Jazz Rock/Fusion category as Rock Progressive Italiano. Incredible energetic prog and fusion, with keyboards, violin, guitar, bass, and drums, and Italian vocals. They combine the high energy fusion of the likes of Mahavishnu Orchestra, Arti & Mestieri and Area (but with more normal vocals and less avant guard inclinations) and give elements of symphonic prog. There are some Allan Holdsworth type guitar fusion moments, with keyboards including piano, organ, Mellotron (or sampled Mellotron), and synths. They have a number of guests, including none other than David Jackson from Van der Graaf Generator (and even Osanna's Prog Family) and Mattias Olsson from Änglagård. I've been waiting for prog like this! It's hard to believe that Black Widow Records is leading the new Italian prog renaissance, and I'm ever thankful for that (it's strange, because Black Widow originally specialized in heavy metal), and it's Black Widow responsible for the release of In Hoc Signo. Totally essential prog that 's truly five star worthy!