ZARATHUSTRA

This album is highly acclaimed by many Italian symphonic progressive fans. I think it is a bit overrated. The music itself is very good, but definitely not a masterpiece. Actually, I find the music unequal; the melodies are often not really convincing or just simply not sufficient enough to be completely impressed. The rhythm and airs constantly change: it makes a VERY progressive album. The music seriously lacks follow-through, so that it often sounds like a series of independant parts sequenced together. The instruments are well played, but I find very little emotion involved, despite the presence of many floating mellotron passages. There are indeed TONS of mellotron arrangements, and I must admit it is one of the most melodic mellotron one can find in the progressive music. The omnipresent organ is rather dirty, sounding a bit like Focus or like on the PFM's Chocolate Kings album. The hard rock electric guitar is reminiscent of the progressive bands Osanna and Focus. The Italian lead vocals are too aggressive for nothing. The drums can be very fast and complex. Regarding influences, King Crimson circa Wake of Poseidon is inevitable.