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The Genova-based DELIRIUM was a relatively unknown RPI group with some jazz leanings in the 70's, and it was reformed in 2007. Black Widow have now released the follower to their 2009 album Il Nome del Vento. Sadly I am not familiar with any of those other albums. If the album cover is responsible for the initial impression, I must say it's not very positive in this case of an amateurish and messy colour drawing.

'L'inganno del Potere' opens the album in an effective and highly dynamic manner. In less than seven minutes it offers both intensity (especially from the vocalist whose voice is slightly more aggressive than I'd prefer) and classically flavoured delicacy with some elegant flute passages.

Very often the Italian bands today attempt to sound like it was still the 70's, but here we have some refreshingly modern and knife-sharp elements in the crisp production, especially from the synths, e.g. in 'Il Nodo'. Also the marvelous rhythm section deserves a thank you for the edgy and lively sound. The saxophone (& flute) reveals the strong influence of Van Der Graaf Generator that was very common in 70's RPI, and perhaps the expressive vocals too. But otherwise the sharp & modern sound featuring a lot of guitar and a very powerful bass, and for change lacking the organ, is not that much VDGG-like. Or anything else than Delirium itself, for that matter.

For the most puristic, vintage-flavouring proggers this music may feel too 'new' and over-produced, but it certainly has an enjoyable energy and sonic richness to rival the prog's halcyon days. The compositions have enough variety too. The proggy highlight is undoubtedly the 11½-minute final epic 'Il Castello del Mago Merlino'. Wow!! Strongly recommended to all prog listeners, not only to RPI specialists.