DEDICATO A FRAZZ

Another one-shot Italian prog album, SEMIRAMIS was lead by guitarist/vocalist Michele Zarrillo, who was just 16 at the time of this album. Some people consider this one of the greatest Italian prog albums, but actually, I more rank it with the likes of NEW TROLLS' "NT Atomic System", LOCANDA DELLE FATE's "Forse Le Lucciole Non Si Amano Più", and IL BALLETTO DI BRONZO's "YS", that is, overrated and not living up to the hype, but still worth having. While the music is very well played, and there are plenty of aggressive passages, and nice, lush string synths (actually played on an Eminent), courtesy of Maurizio Zarrillo, Michele's older brother, the music also gets bogged down with some rather cheesy synths. Maurizio, instead of using a Moog, used a Davoli synth (same type of synth David Sinclair used on CARAVAN's "For Girls Who Grow Plump in the Night"), which apparently has more limited features. Regardless of my complaints of the album, it's still excellent Italian prog, and you have to bear in mind Michele Zarrillo, being only 16 at the time, he was quite accomplished on guitar for someone so young.

The album contains some bizarre artwork, with that face on the front, and Salvador Dali-like artwork in the gatefold. The original LP was released on the Trident label (which was unfortunately conterfeited in the late '80s), so you have to be careful when you buy - that is, if you can find a copy, as originals don't exactly grow on tree. Luckily Vinyl Magic, back in 1989, reissued this on CD. But, still if you like music like MUSEO ROSENBACH, IL BALLETTO DI BRONZO, J.E.T., CERVELLO, BIGLIETTO PER L'INFERNO, and such bands, you'll also like this one.