PETALI DI FUOCO

The fame (and of course the good music) of La Maschera di Cera finally surpassed the US borders in 2007.The band was invited to participate in the famous NearFest and two years later they revisited the States to have a memorable performance at the Progday in North Carolina.With the help of new Höstsonaten guitarist Matteo Nahum the group entered the studio to record another album, this time entitled ''Petali di Fuoco'', produced again by Franz Di Cioccio and released in March 2010 on Aerostella/Immaginifica.

La Maschera di Cera had always been Zuffanti's closest project to the Classic Italian Prog style of the 70's and ''Petali di Fuoco'' keeps this tradition alive.Very good symphonic-inclined Heavy Progressive Rock with a fantastic Italian flavor and an adventurous sound, scanning the music of JUMBO, OSANNA, MUSEO ROSENBACH and BANCO DEL MUTUO SOCCORSO.This time the album does not contain long, multi-parted compositions, but the arrangements are complicated with plenty of evident vintage references and enough breaks, even if the longest one does not exceed the 8-min. mark.Huge, atmospheric analog keyboards like the Mellotron and the Hammond organ haunt the ten tracks, which additionally contain plenty of heavy flute parts and intense guitar hooks.The sound ranges from romantic and mellow, based on the careful use of pianos and acoustic guitars, to bombastic and quite dark, especially when the Mellotron and flutes are in use, while Corvaglia's rough voice is another reason the band resembles to acts like MUSEO ROSENBACH or JUMBO.Still a more modern aspect is present through the very good production and the intelligent use of synths, blended perfectly with the color of the analog keyboards.

Another memorable album by a band that rarely dissapoints the average Prog fan.Retro-influenced Italian Prog with a couple of fantastic tracks among the good ones like ''Fino all'aurora'' or ''L'inganno''.Strongly recommended...3.5 stars.