INCA

A real step forward from their debut album. Inca is a lot better written, produced and executed album. The songs are all stronger and more mature although the band has some hints to a more catchy approach in the singing parts wich makes the album more accessible but also less interesting. The singing is also better this time but the songs are a bit short and I would have liked them longer so they could develope more. THere are some great keyboard parts on the album, the last song is one of my favourites wich contains some great stuff although the singing is a bit cheezy. A real good album that should have the rating 4 for italian symphonic lovers and 3 for the rest of the prog community.

There was no time to be thrown away just like this for Syndone and the Italian band revisited Beppe Crovella's studios for the recordings of a second album, which was to be released under the title ''Inca''.It seems that the trio had recruited a fresh member, keyboardist Edo Rogani on piano, Moog synth, synthesizers and Hammond organ with Nik Comoglio handling the same instruments plus the acoustic guitar.The album was released in 1993.

The arrival of a new keyboardist led Syndone straight to a full-blown E.L.P. sound with less emphasis on jazzy leanings and an obvious turn to bombastic, virtuosic, keyboard-driven semi-Symphonic Rock, which still retained some Fusion lines, sounding at moments a bit like NIACIN.With a heavy vintage array the style is quite close to the 70's, especially when the Hammond organ and Moog synth come in the forefront, while the music is very dense, technical and quirky with endless twists and complex themes, which often flirt with a jamming approach.The sweet, Italian vocals, which appear every now and then, remind me of LA TORRE DE ALCHIMISTA's lead singer Michele Giardino.They still seem not be actually fond of the melodic lines, as the album contains very few of them and appears to be strongly based on the technical accomplishment of the keyboard duo, while originality is an issue as well.But this is far from a dissapointing release.Good use of dual analog keyboards and a tremendous energy at moments are definitely rewarding, while some atmospheric synth flashes are also quite nice.

E.L.P.-like Symph/Fusion with a powerful tone and a heaven for all freaks of analog keyboards.The vocals are also pretty beautiful, as a result this is a more than decent release from the 90's.Recommended.