MISTERIOSE VOCI

IItalian Barock Project from Bologna was an idea of keyboardist Luca Zabbini, who found the act in 2003 at the age of 19.In summer 04' he was joined by Giambattista Giorgi on bass and Giacomo Calabria on drums and a little later Zabbini recruited singer Luca Pancaldi and guitarist Vincenzo Pastano.This five-piece line-up recorded the band's self-titled demo in 2005 with Pastano leaving soon after.The remaining four members went on to prepare the first album of the band.''Misteriosevoci'' was eventually released in 2007 on Musea Records with Zabbini taking care of the guitar work as well.

Despite being influenced by Classical Music and Progressive Rock, Zabbani chose a more refined and radio-friendly style for this work, where almost all compositions have a slight Classical base on the piano parts and are characterized by a certain artistic attitude, but the majority of them are centered around simple song structures and the catchy vocals of singer Luca Pancaldi.Additionally Zabbani decided to throw in a few surypy ballads, reminiscent of the current Italian Pop scene than of anything close to prog, not bad at all but not exactly what you expect from a musician influenced by ELP.So, most of the tracks are presented with accesible grooves, typical song-based formats and a few keyboard solos (mostly synthesizers and organ) in a modern Neo/Symphonic style with little adventure and filled with rather forgettable tunes, a couple of them even having an evident but indifferent funky base.But when Zabbani decides to offer his progressive nature on the forefront, the result is very good.''Premonizioni'' is an excellent example.Great keyboard/piano-based Symphonic Rock in the vein of LE ORME with distorted vocals and nice organ solos.The closing ''Un altro mondo'' has more or less the same atmosphere with organ and piano in evidence and some catchy but fiery guitar soloing.But these just leave the listener praying for some more of the style.

Decent debut for Barock Project, but pretty accesible, mostly in an Art-Rock than Progressive Rock vein, with the true talent of Zabbani hidden behind mediocre compositions.Recommended only for prog amateurs or fans of easy-listening progressive material...2.5 stars.