PETALI DI FUOCO

A very impressive release from La Maschera and the high point of new prog for me this year. I've really come to appreciate non-English speaking bands who release material in their native language and Petali Di Fuoco continues the tradition in melodic Italian tongue. At times, the band seems to be channeling vintage countrymen PFM and Celeste from their classic period. The 10 tracks explore everything from the dramatic (with washes of Mellotron, Moog & organ to punctuate the operatic quality) to pastoral with acoustic guitar, flute and piano emphasizing the gentler side of the band's repertoire. For me, the band has successfully created music on this CD that has a real, passionate, vintage feel to it. La Maschera Di Cera may not be covering brand new territory with this release but it's very satisfying none-the-less.