AURORA LUNARE

4.5 stars. For some musicians they get into the music business for the girls and the money or you get bands like AURORA LUNARE who are simply into it for the love of music. Formed in 1978 they composed their own music but for the next decade or so played a lot of live gigs covering the music of their heroes like PFM, LE ORME, GENESIS, ELP etc. before breaking up in the early nineties only to reunite in the 00's and still it was another decade before finally releasing this their sole studio album in 2013. A labour of love indeed. Most of the songs are from the late 70's that have been given a modern makeover. They end the album with a two part LE ORME cover that ends the record perfectly in my opinion.

While I would describe this as symphonic music they do change it up, I mean they were fans of AREA as well and we get that vibe on a couple of tracks. Lots of synths, great melodies, classic vocals in the Italian tradition that make me proud. Lots of guests helping out like the LA MASCERA DI CERA guitarist and singer. How about the guest guitarist on the LE ORME closer Tolo Marton who won the world-wide guitar competition in Seattle put on by the Hendrix family in 1998, yes this man can play. By the way the keyboardist for this band is a Jazz man playing in a number of Jazz bands while also getting involved with AURORA LUNARE at some point. The original keyboardist while composing some of these songs back in the late seventies has a very limited role here.

Man this music just clicks with me big time, I'm really surprised with this one. It's the whole package though when you get a guy like Mauro Pini who sings with such emotion, just a pleasure really. All seasoned musicians and Mauro adds some unusual synths like synth-glockenspiel on a couple of songs as well as synth-bassoon on the fifth track "Corsa Senza Mota" which is a dark piece with lots of atmosphere and it's experimental. Sounds come and go like whispered words, flute, percussion and more. Piano and bass will also help out and man this is avant before 4 minutes and it will turn powerful with guitar but still "out there".

Another highlight is that opener, maybe their most famous or treasured melody that gets repeated throughout. Marching drums and lots of atmosphere before that melody arrives after 1 1/2 minutes and vocals not until after 4 minutes. Some more beautiful melodies on that second track which is the longest at over 9 minutes but I prefer the third tune "Mondo Fantasmatico" to it with the opening flute before guitar and synths dominate but the flute will return. Some awesome atmosphere here too in this almost 9 minute piece. More darkness on "Riflessi Indicativi" along with melancholy but before that the vocals and melodies are gorgeous. The short 2 minute "Interlunio" is somewhat dark with flute helping out then we get that two part LE ORME closer that is simply a joy and what a way to give a nod to their heroes and at the same time end the album with such class.

Over 30 years coming yet worth the wait? You bet! It's like this was custom made for me. Not sure why I'm not giving this 5 stars like Andrea offered but maybe down the road because this is going with the best of my RPI collection.