L'ERA DELLA MENZOGNA

The Genova-based DELIRIUM was a relatively unknown RPI group with some jazz leanings in the 70's, and it was reformed in 2007. Black Widow have now released the follower to their 2009 album Il Nome del Vento. Sadly I am not familiar with any of those other albums. If the album cover is responsible for the initial impression, I must say it's not very positive in this case of an amateurish and messy colour drawing.

'L'inganno del Potere' opens the album in an effective and highly dynamic manner. In less than seven minutes it offers both intensity (especially from the vocalist whose voice is slightly more aggressive than I'd prefer) and classically flavoured delicacy with some elegant flute passages.

Very often the Italian bands today attempt to sound like it was still the 70's, but here we have some refreshingly modern and knife-sharp elements in the crisp production, especially from the synths, e.g. in 'Il Nodo'. Also the marvelous rhythm section deserves a thank you for the edgy and lively sound. The saxophone (& flute) reveals the strong influence of Van Der Graaf Generator that was very common in 70's RPI, and perhaps the expressive vocals too. But otherwise the sharp & modern sound featuring a lot of guitar and a very powerful bass, and for change lacking the organ, is not that much VDGG-like. Or anything else than Delirium itself, for that matter.

For the most puristic, vintage-flavouring proggers this music may feel too 'new' and over-produced, but it certainly has an enjoyable energy and sonic richness to rival the prog's halcyon days. The compositions have enough variety too. The proggy highlight is undoubtedly the 11½-minute final epic 'Il Castello del Mago Merlino'. Wow!! Strongly recommended to all prog listeners, not only to RPI specialists.

Italian prog masters DELIRIUM are back with another collection of solid progressive rock/RPI songs. Diversity is again the name of the game with this band as one can find female operatic voices (on "L'Angelo el Fango") along side the gravelly voice of lead singer Alessandro Corvaglia, nice keyboard work through out and the nice touch of flute throughout. This is seasoned, well-constructed, nice to listen to prog, Delirium's music is actually quite difficult to place--though it does have that theatric presence common to so much of Italian progressive rock music--but their mix of old, retro and modern keyboards with unusual recording, engineering and mixing choices is quite distinctive and . . . unique.

Favorite songs: 1. "L'inganno del potere" (6:26); the emotional Gregorian-chant presence in 8. "Basta" (5:17); 5. "La deriva" (3:54); the beautiful "L'angelo della fango" (3:45) and the Latin-tinged "La voce dell'anima" (3:31).

Not as strong as 2009's Il nome del vento, but a decent, enjoyable collection of well-constructed songs.

"L'era della menzogna" is the second studio album by Delirium I.P.G. after their come back in 2003 and it's the mature work of a band that's still alive and kicking and full of vitality despite the personnel changes. It was released in 2015 on the independent Black Widow Records label with a renewed line up featuring Ettore Vigo (keyboards, backing vocals), Martin Grice (saxophones, flute, backing vocals), Fabio Chighini (bass, ukulele, backing vocals), Alessandro Corvaglia (lead vocals - best known for his work with La Maschera di Cera), Michele Cusato (guitar) and Alfredo Vandresi (drums, percussion, synth) plus some guests such as Roberto Solinas (acoustic guitar), Andrea Anzaldi (acoustic guitar), Fiorella Zito (triangle, backing vocals), Serena Vandresi (backing vocals), Adriana Rombolò (backing vocals) and Alice Vigo (vocals). Delirum's historic collaborator Mauro La Luce took charge of the lyrics, all dealing with the contemporary climate of social and political decay, while the artwork by Silvana Zago gives a visual form to the musical and lyrical content...

The threatening opener "L'inganno del potere" (The deception of power) tries to depict in music and words the revolutionary rage of people full of hope, projects and fiery ideas that try to change the world. They're ready to throw stones and break windows, they're ready to take off for a metaphoric flight in the wind. After a calm, reflective middle section comes a sarcastic rant against the men of power so able to play their dirty tricks making vain promises and reassuring speeches drawing on old formulas to maintain the status quo...

The reflective "Il nodo" (The knot) evokes the incertitude of a present where you risk to feel always out of place, with a slipknot on your neck. It's a slipknot that you have to untie with the help of someone who can still think independently, speak up and stand out from the crowd. You have to believe in yourself and in your dreams to find the courage and boldness to imagine a better future and try to make your dreams come true...

"L'angelo del fango" (The angel of the mud) is a melodic ballad full of hope. The music and lyrics evoke the image of someone emerging from the mud in the East, like a king. Around you there's nothing but rain, wind and mud but with him everything can change, he's an angel that can free us from false myths and cowardice and let us live in a better world without suffering unwanted choices...

"Fuorilegge" (Outlaw) is a lively, ironic piece that every now and again could recall PFM with Fabrizio De Andrè. The music and lyrics give voice to a man who's fed up with an incompetent, dishonest political class that leaves him with only one right: to starve! Anyone who opposes the men of power or feels outraged by their behaviour is labelled mad or outlaw but the rage is growing and sooner or later it will overthrow the ruling scoundrels...

The dreamy, evocative instrumental "La deriva" (The drift) leads to the title track, "L'era della menzogna" (The era of lies), that expresses the sense of confusion and distraughtness of men who can't distinguish the true from the false any more, surrounded by occult persuaders and sneaky influencers who steal, eat and soil the world with their lies and fake news. The only hope is rally and fight together for values such as dignity and loyalty...

"La voce dell'anima" (The voice of the soul) is a beautiful song that every now and again might recall a Delirum's single from the early seventies entitled Jesahel. The music and words invite you to heed the call of your soul to understand the world and give a sense to life. Man has everything he needs inside himself but because of boredom or pain he just doesn't listen to the inner voice screaming inside his heart. The protagonist of the song wants his voice back to shout and freely express himself...

The apocalyptic "Basta" (That's enough) is another sarcastic piece that deals with a sense of saturation and bewilderment, loss and suffocated rage. The protagonist is disgusted by the behaviour of a hypnotized crowd blindly following the rites of their corrupted leaders. Dark shadows and bad omens loom large on the time to come...

The long, complex "Il castello del Mago Merlino" (The castle of Merlin the wizard) starts softly, then goes through many changes in rhythm and atmosphere. The music and lyrics evoke the need of a shelter from the evil you can find in the world and from the fear of the future, a shield to protect your dreams. Maybe it's just an illusion, the sap of your dreams. Nonetheless, if you look deep into your heart you'll find a burning fire and all your fears will vanish. What you are looking for is a comfortable place where everything seems to come to life again, where time stands still and your soul can find peace and freedom, an enchanted castle where you can feel safe...

On the whole, an excellent work and a must have for every Italianprog fan.