CAMPO DI MARTE

I can't give this album anything less than 5 stars, for my taste this is flawless.The guitar driven aggressive passages, contrasted with the beautiful mellow sections that have mellotron at times, are simply gorgeous. There's nothing about the music here that I don't like, and that's rare for me. The organ, flute, fantastic drumming and throbbing bass are all played and arranged perfectly. I do have a problem with the album cover though. Haha. It reminds me of history class, although it is humerous I suppose.

"Primo Tempo" opens with guitar sounding more like BLACK SABBATH than a Symphonic Italian band. I love it ! Ripping organ and pounding drums have me saying "What the heck ?". These heavy passages are contrasted with beautiful pastoral ones with reserved vocals and floating organ sounds. Scorching guitar comes and goes while we get some fat bass lines. Some flute and acoustic guitar 4 1/2 minutes in. Those dark heavy guitar melodies with sinister organ runs are back 7 minutes in. Big drum ending. "Seconde Tempo" opens with gentle guitar as percussion and flute join in. The sound builds. Some catchy flute melodies in this one as well as French horn.The guitar suddenly comes crashing in after 3 minutes to end it.

"Terzo Tempo" is lit up early with some aggressive guitar. Piano takes over joined by vocals. The guitar is back 2 minutes in. Nice. Some great guitar, bass and drumming as mellotron floods in around 3 minutes in. Piano and flute take over after 3 1/2 minutes before some blistering guitar takes over. This contrast continues. This is incredible ! Guitar and mellotron end this song in style. "Quarto Tempo" is classical sounding and uptempo as organ and guitar lead the way. Amazing sound. Piano and guitar sound so good together 2 minutes in. A change after 2 1/2 minutes as gentle guitar ends it.

"Quinto Tempo" opens with intricate guitar leads. Dual flute melodies follow. I like the vocal melodies that come in. Drums, acoustic guitar and organ before 2 1/2 minutes sound fabulous. Mellotron a minute later. The vocal melodies are back with drums. Beauitful. "Sesto Tempo" opens with some energy as drums and guitar lead the way. Organ comes in then synths as drums continue to pound. Guitar's turn after a minute with throbbing bass. French horn and flute 1 1/2 minutes in. Organ returns a minute later and then lets go with some good runs. Vocals 3 1/2 minutes in as it calms down. Synths and a more uptempo sound returns. Solid drumming ends it. "Settimo Tempo" features some good contrasts between the intricate guitar and flute with the guitar, organ and drums. Some ripping organ before 4 minutes. And man can this guy play the drums ! Check him out during the final minute of this song.

This is classic Italian music that feels like a warm blanket on a winters night. Just right.