DÉNTROKIRTÒS

Fine modern progressive refuting anyone who thinks prog is dead

Akt's latest album Dentrokirtos is without question one of the most imaginative experimental progressive rock albums I've heard in the last few years. If I ever question why I spend so much of my time mining cyberspace for the latest cool music, discovering an album like this is easy justification. Akt has had various incarnations since their birth in Bologna a decade ago but now consists of Marco Brucale (guitars, sampling), Alessandro Malandra (bass guitar, sampling), and Simone Negrini (keyboards, sampling, drums.) Since 2000 the band says they have "used computers very successfully to aid composition and experimentation and that from a kind of music that may be defined as progressive rock, it turns to a sound which is always rock but contaminated by an electronic and unusual tone colour."

Where to begin in describing this unique sound? A musical puzzle of sorts combining futuristic and adventurous composition that at different times may remind you of No-Man, Gourishankar, 90s Crimson, Gentle Giant, perhaps Portishead, and of course some Italian Prog influence. I would prefer them to the artists I list because they are more lively and original than No-Man, more subtle and musically wise than Gourishankar, and a hell of a lot more fun than many titles in the Crimson catalogue. What Akt does so successfully is marry an anything goes musical attitude with the melody and cohesion lost on other bands who have attempted a Jackson Pollock in the studio. Akt have managed to insert some memorable melody into their controlled mayhem that brings you back and sucks you in. They balance some strong Crimson-esque rock basics like bubbling bass, frenetic electric guitars, and tight drumming with exotic sounds and effective electronica. The kiss of Italian flair for me comes courtesy of gorgeous piano runs and the vocals which in a few spots have an absurdist streak proudly displayed. The piano (and occasional acoustic guitar) in particular lend a soothing and grounding feel to the more eclectic instrumental sections. Each track is something of a mini-adventure where you can expect loads of surprises. One of my favorite moments is the exhilarating lead guitar work in the latter half of Alcune Margherite di Legno. There are other strange moments that sound like the accordian polkas my father used to play, in the next moment will be a Karfagen-like new-agey section, then back to a stunning rock climax or a bizarre gibberish vocal oddity. I have too many favorite moments here to list them. The beautiful closer Abbandonia was a brilliant choice in the way it brings you back to yourself after walking these challenging paths with Akt - reminds me of one of the quieter space moments of Djam Karet. From the band's website: "Déntrokirtòs songs are the conscious attempt to describe this world which is visible but not immediately observed; the isle does not exist but it's real just like the sea that bounds it and the shade of the plateau, the rivers and the trees, as an ideal counterpoint to the earth's geography. So Déntrokirtòs is absolutely possible as an island, but it does not exist because of an unknown accident."

This self-produced gem of an album is available via free download from the band's website and they insist that their art is to be shared and spread without charge, to be a catalyst for an exchange of ideas and forward-thinking. The quality booklet cover art captures optimism in the form of a future world that still has natural beauty. I highly recommend this album to all fans of modern progressive rock who wish to hear but one piece of the future potential of music. Akt proves that prog rock's best days are not necessarily behind her. Had I known about the album back in '07 it may well have made my end of year best list. A hugely fulfilling piece of modern music with a twist of the avant-garde. 8/10

If a band instantly intrigues you with their sound, you know they're on to something. If the same band at the same time manages to surprise you with bits and pieces from music you are familiar with and like, that band should have secured a big and varied audience of prog fans.

Akt isn't quite there yet, but deserves to be - and what's even more important - have the potential to grow even better. Déntrokirtòs feels fresh, inventive, experimental and mature. And yet it is Akt's first album, something that makes the future very bright for this group.

Playing the sort of music that is more prone to be classified solely on subjective interpretation and refuses to bend to subgenre definition; eclectic is a natural home for this record. The many different layers and highly computer-processed music gives it all an experimental edge, with sonic landscapes that are lush and cold at the same time; spacey and futuristic are words that come to mind, but always in a digital and electronic way. Heavy sampling such as this brings in an element of surprise and mathematical precision to the music, with an amazing ability to pinpoint down to the level of singular notes, and Akt does this with great care and skill on Déntrokirtòs. One can of course have different points of view about whether that is a benefit or not, regardless of the technical and musical skill involved. I remain ambivalent, but in this case most of it just feels natural. The textures are exquisitely interwoven and there's rarely any dominant instrument (when they're all involved) in the mix, which gives the sound a great amount of tightness, very close to the rhythm section all the time.

So even if the pseudo-electronic soundscapes are dominating, there is a whole lot more to be found here. Tranquil acoustic piano and guitar parts that serve as a reminder of Italy's prog heydays in the '70s make repeated appearance, coupled with a vocal style (and sound for that matter) that is just distinctly Italian, sometimes delivered more like talking, as Banco Del Mutuo Soccorso's Francesco Di Giacomo occasionally does, and sometimes with a liberating laissez-faire craziness that just makes you happy.

'90s King Crimson have most definitely been an influence on guitarist Marco Brucale, and the opener Spazzadiluvi feature a guitar part that most likely serves as a tribute, but almost comes too close to pure imitation. It's that KC-ish, yes.

The bulk of the songs move from segment to segment fast and seamlessly, bringing the record an organic feel against all odds, one that is made stronger by recurring waltz-rhythms, accordion, dramatic tempo changes and an intriguing, often clever and trance-like use of instruments.

Déntrokirtòs is an album for people that like and people that dislike progressive electronic music, because Akt adds something extra to all songs, especially by combining the energy of rock music with the atmospheric, mood-inducing and enigmatic qualities of electronic in a way that captures the fun in the process of making music - the freedom of expression. The music on this record ranges from alluringly stripped to incredibly rich in a matter of seconds, and that's what you can always count on when it comes to Italian prog rock - fabulous dynamics.

4 stars.

//LinusW

Fresh stuff = great music!

When you listen to some new bands, you may say that everything has been invented and previously composed and that there are no new bands with a unique sound, because they sound like some older band, and that may be true, but the good news are that if a new band appears and uses lots of sounds and styles to approach a proper and own sound, it's always a pleasure listening.

This band called Akt, is one of the coolest Italian bands that have appeared in the last few years, i previously reviewed their EP called Fraktal.One which features some covers of one of their main influences which is King Crimson, i enjoyed that EP, but now believe me that this album is excellent.

In 2007 they released this album called Dentrokirtos and what a shame that i didn't know them last year because i may have put it in my top 5 of the 2007, the band had originally 4 members but one of them left Akt and now they continued being a trio, (power trio maybe?). So Dentrokirtos, an album that has almost 50 minutes of great and enjoyable music that has a variety of sounds and styles, and 7 different songs going from the 4 minute to 9 minute lenght.

The album opens with Spazzadiluvi which as i mentioned above, will remind you of King Crimson Belew-era because of the guitar sound, the Crimsonesque style continues until the half of the song when vocals enters, kind of spoken word with Italian lyrics but nothing to do with that classic Italian vocal style from 70's bands, at the end it has some cool music, punched bass lines and great keyboard work.

Elicrisio begins with an acoustic sound, percussion and then some nice guitars and piano that make a kind of happy sound but after some seconds vocals enters and produce a sound like very pleasant and relaxing that if you listen to it with headphones, then you will receive a moment of tranquility, during the song the vocals continues with a kind of armony, and the beautiful music continues with the additin of some keyboard background and great guitar riffs. The vocals returns in several moments and you know that i love Italian vocals, so that is almost always an extra point. At the half of the song, you will hear to a piano oriented style with a classic sound accompanied by the synth, which produces a symnphonic and electronic sound at the same time, very cool. I am sure that after listening to this song, you will understand what i mean with fresh stuff = great music.

Waltz Oblio is the longest song reaching almost 10 minutes, and it begins with an agressive style, keyboards and drums together but then it slows down creating an atmosphere of uncertainty then it returns as it beagn and then it returns as the second part but now with the addition of an accordeon sound making that obvious waltz style that the name of the song itself evokes. After some 3 minutes the music fades away and just electronic samples continues, reminding me a bit to early Porcupine tree works combined with even some Nine Inch Nails textures. So now you are realizing that the band gathers several styles and combines it to create a unique sound, not just in the album as a whole, but in a single song!. After 5 minutes with a delicate guitar and bass playing the vocals appear and in some moments with a more emotional singing, there is no drumming in this part, actually are samples but very well put the drums return a couple of minutes later. Excellent song!

Next song is Comete and opens with a soft sound, it is like a xylophone i don't really know but it puts an smile in my face and make me feel safe and relaxed, it may sound even like a lullaby in the first 2 minutes. Later, a very delicate guitar sound appears along with a keyboard background. The whole song has the same soft sound, the time and tempo is always the same, but passing the seconds the other instruments are appearing little by little creating some short crescendos. This is a song that can be listened to in an open air place, it feels so natural until. but wait...the last part of the song becomes stronger, the piano keeps playing but now drums and a more agressive electric guitar appears, in some way reminding me to Pink Floyd, a very nice song.

Alcune Margherite di Legno has guitars and vocals in the beginning making a darker ambient and suddenly after 1:30 minute it changes a bit with a more aggresive sound letting us know again that their love for King Crimson is evident, thought it is shown in small passages, is quite obvious. Before minute 3 it has another change of style like classic dance music i dont really know how to describe that, but what im sure is that they are really, but really talented musicians with lots of fresh ideas that i at least can thank. At the half of the song, there is another uncertainty moment, where there are kind of murmurs and spoken word with some strange noises here and there, kind of intriguing, this song my be used in a movie's scene.

Le Sette Impressioni del Fauno Scorpioni we are almost reaching the end, there are just 2 songs letf, after som 5 silence seconds, the song explodes and the quality of the musicians is shown there, here like in the third track you will listen to an accordion, now the vocals sound a bit like Francesco di Giacomo, wit a different style of course. This song is cool due it's originality, i mean it is not common to listen to an accordion, nice italian vocals and some electronic drumming at the same time, it is wonderful! There is a moment where everything is just happy but then again changes and provokes another feeling in your person. I like when music is not just music literally, but it does something on you, i hope you understand what i mean.

The shortest, and last song of the album is Abbandoia and opens with an spacey sound, then the guitar enters and creates and incredible mood, as i said earlier, if you listen to this with headphones is totally different because you will find things that without them you would not, this is an ending track, a goodbye and on me it provokes both, a sense of satisfaction, and sadness. Beautiful short song!

Well, what an album is this, i will be terribly honest. I was listening to the album while writing the review, but before doing it i was supposed to rate it with 4 stars, but now, i just can't help but giving 5 stars to it, because i am so happy and delighted by this dynamic, intelligent and excellent music.

It is something different believe me, i strongly suggest it.

Enjoy it!

Imagine that you are an artist who loves King Crimson over any other band, but doesn't want to be a tribute band or either a clone. You will likely reproduce the ambient of your favourite band, the mood will be similar and sometimes there will surely be clear reminds.

If this artist was a Pink Floyd, or ELP or Yes addict the result will likely be a sort of clone, but with KC it's different. The distinctive characteristic of KC is in the compositions more than in the sounds, a reason why Akt succeeded in being original.

This debut album is opened by "Spazzadiluvi" ("Clean up floodings" intended as somebody's name). This track has a lot of KC in the first 4 instrumental minutes dominated by a clean guitar, but when Marco Brucale starts talking it reminds me to an Italian RIO/Avant band, the Quintorigo. He hasn't, or doesn't show the vocal skills of John De Leo but how he talsk and mainly what he says has the same emotional impact for an Italian speaking fart like me. Another reference for the lyrics and the singing is a post-punk Italian band called "Consorzio Suonatori Indipendenti" (I'll sooner or later suggest them for inclusion on PA).

"Elicrisio" is a small vegetable (Helychrisium Italicus) with medical properties. Interesting subject for a prog song. It's less dark than the first track, and has a bit more of RPI. However the singing, and in particular the metrics is very similar to those of the mentioned "CSI".

"Waltz Oblio" has also some of YES, but there's a strong folk influence due to the sampled concertina that makes it more similar in the sound to an Astor Piazzolla's tango than to a waltz. Later it looses the concertina and becomes a relaxing track. If it wasn't for the strange rhythm it could sound as newage. The singing is very interesting, reminding of Banco and sometimes the early Battiato, too. The instrumental part is excellent, lighter than the rest. Good "Frippistic" coda.

"Comete" (Comets) is slow and repetitive for the first two minutes, then it reminds to the darker moments of "All Over Everywhere". Hypnotic piano, lazy percussions and guitar in the back. Let your minds be carried somewhere else by this music.

Acoustic guitar and vocals open "Alcune Margherite di Legno" (Some wooden daisy flowers). The melody is intriguing and the lyrics are evocative. Dreamy and dissonant at the same moment. I think this song is a bit influenced also by "Le Orme", at least in the singing. They show an impressive creative talent and they demonstrate to have a lot of ideas to put inside their songs. If this one is not called an "epic" is only because of its length that's below 10 minutes but it has all the characteristics of an epic.

"Le Sette Impressioni del Fauno" (The seven impressions of the Faun) is of the same kind of the previous one, with several different moments developing in a complex track. The more I listen to the vocals, the more they remind me to "Le Orme", but the music is challenging and intriguing. Again light moments alternate with dissonances which have the effect of catching one's attention. Because of the strict connection with King Crimson labelling this band as "Eclectic Prog" is not wrong, but there's also a lot of RPI.

The conclusive track is "Abbandonia". This title is not easily translatable. The suffix "-ia" may refer to a person's name or to a land. Something like "Land of Abandon". The song is slow and dreamy. Very melodic unlike the rest of the album, this instrumental track reminds to Vangelis.

What to say? It's a pity that the majors seem to be not interested enough in producing and promoting bands of this kind. Four well deserved stars for a very promising debut on which each song has its highlights and each song sounds differently.

From the beautiful city of Bologna comes this Italian trio,formed in 1998.Initially Akt functioned as a quartet or even a quintet with additional members on drums,trumpet and keyboards,but since 2000 the three stable members are guitarist Marco Brucale,bassist Alessandro Malandra and keyboardist Simone Negrini.By the same year they started experimenting with computer sounds like sampled drums and effects to lead the trio to the release of their debut ''Dentrokritos'' in 2007,a free downloadable release straight out of the band's official site.

The sound of the band is an eclectic mix of styles, soundscapes and experimental attitudes,exploring and satisfying a variety of musical tastes,like the opener ''Spazzadiluvi'',which starts off as a mellow piano-based piece to develop into a guitar-driven KING CRIMSON-esque explosion and end with electronic effects all the way.''Elicrisio'' follows a more symphonic vein with expressive multi-vocal parts accompanied by sensitive guitars and the varied keyboard work of Negrini,from the Classical-inspired piano parts to the vibraphone sounds at the end to even some hardly detected harpsichord parts,very much in the romantic style of RANDONE.''Waltz Oblio'' is a more of an eclectic affair like a mix of NOTABENE and PAATOS,modern Italian Prog mixed with some Trip-Hop/Electronic sounds and almost narrative singing,featuring numerous changing moods.''Comete'' is a beautiful, dark and spacey instrumental with a hypnotic groove under keys,bass and guitars but also a grand finale,characterized by its electric explosion.With ''Alcune Margherite Di Legno'' the trio returns into its previous style,Modern prog with dominant piano,even with a jazzy edge,psychedelic guitars and also some mellotron,but additionally with sound effects and distorted vocals.''Le Sette Impressioni Del Fauno Scorpione'' is a quite complicated composition with nice breaks and shifting moods,alternating between Psych/Prog and romantic Italian Prog with some great vocals,excellent and often complex guitars and fantastic background keyboards,possibly the best cut of the album.A good band knows the right way to close the album and Akt are definitely a good band.''Abbandonia'' is another soft trippy experience,where a hypnotic guitar is accompanied by spacey synthesizers,creating a dreamy New-Age atmosphere.

A nice entry in the world of progressive music.Modern,versatile prog with touches of the modern technology at moments,but blended in a majestic way.For fans of new discoveries,this one comes strongly recommended.Akt are certainly a band to keep an eye on...3.5 stars.