CONCERTO GROSSO - THE SEVEN SEASONS

Regarding their progressive face, New Trolls were undoubtfully on a decline in late-70's, despite also recruiting Nuova Idea's keyboardist Giorgio Usai in 1978.The group released series of average Pop Rock albums until the early-90's, when they finally spliy up.Various incarnations appeared later, like Vittorio De Scalzi's New Trolls, Il Mito dei New Trolls and Il Cuore dei New Trolls, all of them played live in several occasions and were led by different ex-members of the group.Eventually in 2007 De Scalzi reunited with Nico Di Palo and a rather fresh line-up with Alfio Vitanza (drums, vocals), Andrea Maddalone and Mauro Sposito (guitars, vocals), all members of Vittorio De Scalzi's New Trolls in early-00's, and Francesco Bellia (bass, vocals).Originally established as a live act, the brand New Trolls formation finally put up a third chapter in the ''Concerto grosso'' series, entitled ''The seven seasons'', originally released as an indepedent album.

And we should thank the Goddess of luck for this new formation of the Italian veterans, as New Trolls apparently came up with their best release ever and a great Progressive Rock masterpiece.The sound has strong links with the first album of the series, although all lyrics are sung in English and this time the result is much more consistent.''The seven seasons'' is a beautiful work, full of romantic Classical orchestrations as well as impressive rockin' ideas with excellent guitar parts and strong flute work.Next to the familiar Classical adaptions by the group, led by majestic string sections, stand plenty of fantastic melodies, Hard Rock grooves and symphonic soundscapes of unmet grandieur.The vocals are also great, delivered by De Scalzi and Palo in a very senstive way.This time though the group has filled its sound with some pretty delicate Folk parts, based on acoustic guitars and flutes with a strong Mediterrenean aura, interrupting the more pounding parts of the album.Add some impressive guitar solos to the mix and you have propably one of the best Classical Rock albums ever to see the light.

This was a great, great suprise.After so many conflicts and a history full of ups and downs, New Trolls returned with a triumphant work.Grandiose and extremely emotional Progressive/Classical Rock of the best quality.Close to a masterpiece, definitely one of the best music works ever to come out from Italy.