DODECAHEDRON

A spooky occult-prog symphony which presents a full-length album composition drawing on everything from classic symphonic prog to the darker side of prog metal, Daal's Dodecahedron might not be the new Thick as a Brick - I think it flags somewhat and loses momentum a little towards the end - but it is an intriguing release which provides a notable example of an Italian prog band which isn't trying to recapture (and, indeed, doesn't seem to be enormously influenced by) the RPI scene of yesteryear. Apparently each of the compositions is inspired by a different spooky story, and whilst I'm not always sure the connection is apparent if you aren't already told how they fit together, at the very least the album as a whole represents a high- qualify instrumental prog release.