IN HOC SIGNO

Ingranaggi della Valle were formed in Rome at the end of 2010, when Mattia Liberati (keyboards) and Flavio Gonnellini (guitar), both playing in the Jazz Rock act The Big Chill, joined forces with drummer Shanti Colucci and bassist Edoardo Arrigo.In June Marco Gennarini enters the band on violin and with the help of their friend and singer Leonardo Pandolfo they recorded a demo EP in November of the same year.Enough of a good work to be approached by Black Widow, so the searching for a full-time singer begun, resulting to the hiring of Igor Leone in 2012.By the time of their debut ''In hoc signo'' Arrigo appears only as a guest with Simone Massimi playing most of the bass parts.Several guests appear on the album, but the names of Van der Graaf Generator David Jackson and Änglagård's Mattias Olsson shine through.This one came out in 2013 both in vinyl and CD format.

The name of the game here is very dense Italian Prog with a Fusion aura and enough vintage echoes to get goosebumps to lovers of the Classic Prog era, just do not expect the strong Classical tastes of the old groups, although there are plenty of them, cause Ingranaggi della Valle are more of a Prog Fusion band, the mass of quirky, schizophenic interplays, the display of strong jazzy components and the tireless soloing on various instruments are certain proofs of their direction.Considering that, they are much closer to ARTI E MESTIERI or AREA, while the jazzier period of PREMIATA FORNERIA MARCONI still springs to mind.Now, the music is perhaps on the jazzier side of Prog Rock, but the vocals have this flawless expression, warmth and romanticism of Italian Prog singers, excellent work by Igor Leone.The performance of the group comes at a professional level with a full-time violin player and a wide array of vintage keys like Mellotron, Hammond B3, Moog synthesizer and a Rhodes electric piano.Closer look from the recent bands could be DEUS EX MACHINA, heavy instrumental music with power and passion all over the place, rhythmic lines and odd time signatures, surprising breaks into varied tempos and a fascinating palette of different protagonists with each minute passing by.At times the music gets a bit chaotic and too complex with constantly changing rhythms and everpopping solos, but the general taste is more than positive, material with an unmet virtuosity and even some flavor from the theatrical side of Prog Rock.

Extremely talented band.Great instrumental work and marvelous vocals all the way.I think that consistency is the matter of discussion for the future of this group.Still a pretty amazing debut by this bunch of Italian youngsters, one of those groups deserving a really close look.Strongly recommended...3.5 stars.