LE NOTTI DI SALEM

ABIOGENESI is playing a highly 70's influenced hard rock enriched with progressive elements like nice keyboards and flute and some psychedelic moment. As I am very much into Retro-Prog I like very much all 3 records they released, although I've got to say that their third one is not quite on par with the previous ones, especially their debut. So let's come to the songs on this album.

The opening (and as the well the ending) Warning/I Warned You presented by Clive Jones (BLACK WIDOW) sounds in a way rather out of place and both can be easily skipped by programming the CD player without losing anything. A Salem is a song very much in the vein of 70's hard rock with some keyboards. Very nice with great guitar solos, but nothing special in the sense of Prog. With Echi nel Buio the sound is changing more towards a less aggressive mid-tempo Rock, in the second half of the song a very nice instrumental section is starting. Really excellent musicianship and first highlight of the album. Next one Abiogenesi 3 is as well a very good track played all instrumental. Again the main theme is changing in the second half to a slower tempo with nice Wah-Wah guitar. Nuove Stelle is a quite typical 70's Italian prog song, not really original or special, but a very nice one to listen to. As always they have some variation within the song with excellent instrumental sections on keyboard and acoustic guitar. Mr. Clive e Dr. Jones could be as well from a 70's Italian band, on this one we have some harpsichord involved, a very rocking one with excellent electric guitar. Similia Similibus Curentur is starting quite aggressively with driving guitars, then slowing a bit down and vocals are setting in accompagnied by piano. BTW Toni D'Urso's rather low pitched voice is really pleasant and very appropriate for the music. Z.A.W. (Zombie Abiogenetic War) is offering a similar sound like A Salem with driving guitars combined with organ and keyboard play in a rather dark mood.

CONCLUSION

ABIOGENESI do not even try to hide their influences and their music is anything else than innovative and original. They're playing a very nice Retro-Prog in a hard vein with great performance. I would not call this album an essential one, but still it's VERY GOOD and recommended to all those who love the "good ol' 70's ART ROCK". Worth for 3.5 stars!

"Abiogenesi" released two good albums prior to this one ; even if "Il GiocoScuro" was a bit of a disappointment for me (especially the epic and title track).

Their weird music strike again with "Le Notti Di Salem". Scary introductory track ("Warning") to set the tone and to remain faithful to earlier work; while "A Salem" is nothing else than a heavy-rock jam in which the band must have lots of fun but I do not really share it.

The global atmosphere is pretty dark, as usual I would say ("Echi Nel Bujo") and few songs really stand out. "Abiogenesi 3" is deeply Crimsonesque: repetitive during four minutes and almost symphonic for the second part. A mix of genre, worthy of the master. The same filiation applies to "Z.A.W." (but without the symphonic aspect).

If you ever miss the early "Genesis" (but who doesn't miss them), the first part of "Nuove Stelle" is a good antidote. But it can be linked with the early days of Italian prog as well. You name it. A lighter song featuring passionate guitar which provides some fresh air in these rather heavy sounds.

But, as if the band was willing to show us their origin, "Similia." combines the heavy tone with a more refined Italian sound. Energetic finale as well. Not too bad.

What I miss on this album are groundbreaking moments (although the guitar solo at the end of "Mr. Clive E Dr. Jones" is such one) and therefore I rate this work with three stars. Another good Abiogenesis album.

The third album by these Italians.

I started to scratch my head when I heard this intro by Clive Jones from Black Widow. Is this album another slab of occult heavy Italian progressive rock ? Nope and I am not sure what Clive Jones is doing here. Announcing his own band ? Paid advert ? Suddenly an advert for Nike golf clubs as an intro on a Rolling Stones album seems like a good idea. Their Sumo brand, to be more precise. Very good golf clubs with max forgiveness due to a large sweetspot, sold in 460 ccm with Fujijama regular nano shaft. 10.5 degrees l/r. Go to your local golf shop for a good offer.

The music itself on this album is heavy prog from the 1970s with good vocals and heavy beats. The tangents is very good and so is the guitars. The vocals too is good for a change. The music is pretty playful with a lot of excellent small details. Playful as in an album by Deep Purple.

The lack of any really good songs is hurting this album big time. But the sound is great though. This is a good album, but nothing more. But I have to admit I have a weak spot for this band.

Btw. You can also buy good Nike golf balls from your local golf shop. For example the xtra distance golf ball where you are guaranteed to hit the cow on the moon if used together with a Nike driver.

3.5 stars