1984 - L'ULTIMO UOMO D'EUROPA

Here's one of the many rock albums inspired by the famous dystopian novel "1984" of George Orwell. And it might also be the most intensive one, but in my case (although I was deeply impressed by the book already in my teens) the intensity of the music has its negative side too. For the rest of my review I handle this album as music, not as a literary adaption -- for which approach I wouldn't have the knowledge on Italian language anyway.

The RPI tradition can be roughly divided into two styles. The first one is more pastoral and romantic (PFM, Celeste, Errata Corrige, ...) and it often involves instruments such as flute and violin. This is very much up to my musical taste. And the second style is heavier, darker, edgier etc, with influences not only from prog bands such as ELP and VdGG but from e.g. DEEP PURPLE and BLACK SABBATH as well. Naturally there's no absolute division into these two styles; both can use elements from the other one and many bands are somewhere in the middle. LA FABBRICA DELL'ASSOLUTO is however clearly closer to the heavy side of RPI. Seemingly this is the case with most of the new RPI bands that sound like they could come from the 70's. Fabbrica's domestic influences might include e.g. ALPHATAURUS, IL BALLETTO DI BRONZO, MUSEO ROSENBACH, PANNA FREDDA and SEMIRAMIS.

The 55-minute work starts with disturbing shouts and a brief dramatic narrative followed by intense Hammond-dominated heavy prog. Soon the proper vocals enter and are intertwined with sharp synth passages. Already at this point the listener can be sure to have one hell of a prog ride. The vocals are mostly a bit shouty, reaching higher notes and being also quite flexible, but the voice itself lacks charisma and depth. Frankly, I don't like them. But the band is truly full of fiery power, especially the many-sided keyboard arsenal with its ELP flavour.

After the nearly seamless flow of highly intense tracks, the more delicate 'Giulia' is a gorgeous highlight. 'La Stanza 101' is another good, melancholic song, but to my taste the whole is too intense and highly strung. And yet, I just can't rate it lower than four strong stars. Definitely one of the most remarkable items in retro-RPI of these times!