PERIGEO

Wow, this one has reached for a top place on my 2012 Best-Of! Grazie mille, amici! I wonder how this comes and it surely warms my heart - I can notice a little renaissance, many new ambitiious progressive rock bands are rising from this country, which belongs to my favourite places in Europe. IL GIARDINO ONIRICO - The Garden Of Dreams or The Onirical Garden maybe - so what, this name is prog per se of course. Some references to other Italian bands come into my mind when listening - Marco Marini's native rants are opening the door to the five songs and this sometimes reminds me of Delirio Sonoro. I also hear PFM's playfulness, the heavy melodics of Dropshard ... anyway, 'Perigeo' definitely is something unique, to make it clear.

On B.S.D (whatsoever this means) they ultimately prove song writing qualities - nearly a rollercoaster in style this song nevertheless is accessible miraculously - heavy metal riffs easily compete with mellow spacey excursions or classical acoustic guitar interludes, Elisabetta Marchetti shines due to her lovely soprano voice. Second one Utopia Planitia represents the ultimate highlight. Completely different, while being more consistent ... yeah, nearly hypnotic, this is a very melodic tune. Featuring compelling keyboards and guitar it all gradually cultivates, ascends over the course - woaaaww, wonderful! Futhermore the band grooves a lot, more mellow here, more heavy there - alternated by some spheric parts.

'Perigeo' offers a convincing mixture of Art Rock, Prog Metal, ambient impressions and symphonic/classic ingredients - an excellent multi-variant (they call it schizophrenic!?) album. Riverside and Porcupine Tree fans (especially those who like their earlier times) should pe pleased per se, I'm sure. At this time, the album is only available if you directly contact the band. But Lizard Records just have announced to make a contract. A highly recommended issue.