DRACULA OPERA ROCK

Between 1972 and 1974 PFM produced five legendary albums, inspired by early King Crimson, Per Un Amico (1972) is generally considered as their finest effort. King Crimson ex-member Pete Sinfield even contributed with English lyrics to two PFM albums, and was the support-act (with Mel Collins) during their first European tour, in mid-1973. Then PFM started to sound more jazzrock inspired, and on this album from 2005 PFM even presents a blend of rock and opera! It took a few listening sessions before I go tinto this music, but gradually I started to appreciate PFM their musical adventure.

The shorter compositions sound elaborate, featuring compelling sumptuous parts (with classical orchestrations and The Bulgarian Symphony Orchestra), strong vocals (loaded with the typical opera pathos) and powerful soli on guitar and keyboards.

Some pieces are more mellow or dreamy, like Non Guardarmi (warm melancholical vocals, classical guitar and violins) and Terra Madre (emotional vocals and sensitive guitar). Remarkable is the track La morte Non Muore: swinging with fiery guitar and a female choir, reminding me of the musicals Hair and Jesus Christ Superstar.

The long final compositions Un Destino Di Rondine (just over 11 minutes) is my highlight of this album: compelling and bombastic with intense, almost desperate sounding vocals from Dolce Nera, and a strong build-up tot a splendid, sumptuous grand finale with howling guitar runs and fluent synthesizer flights.

If you are up to this captivating blend of rock and opera, this is an interesting album to discover from the Classic Italian Prog formation PFM, always in the mood for scouting musical borders.

My rating: 3,5 star.