LA TORRE DELL'ALCHIMISTA

The sophomore album from Italians from a suburb of Northern Italy's Bergamo. For some reason this album--these musicians--feel and seem to be on a level above most of the others I've heard and reviewed from the 2000s.

1. "Disimmetrie" (6:56) I love the off-beat rhythm track (in particular, the drumming) of this opener. This is my kind of symphonic prog! (13.25/15) - Golem (Storia Di Una Goccia) - - Suoni Di Plastica -

2. "Medusa" (8:27) here, for some reason, the drums don't sound as good with the Emersonian keys. I think they're too straightforward, not as syncopated and interesting as the previous song/suite. (17.25/20) - Fede - Fuga - Corale - Samba V

3. "Idra" (1:51) piano solo. Impressive but nothing new or ground-breaking. A bit of Gershwin, it seems. (4.25/5)

4. "Risveglio, Procreazione E Dubbio Pt. I" (11:31) A top three song for me. (18.5/20) - Preludio - full on ELP with impressive Hammond, bass, and drum play. This really does sound like ELP at their fiery best. - Primo Esperimento - cool/beautiful vocal choir work--turns KANSAS-like when full band joins in. - Secondo Esperimento - gentler, more softer and melodic section. - Dubbio - beautifully cinematic symphonic outro.

5. "L'Amore Diverso" (2:28) piano intro turns into two-handed masterpiece--though could be considered a New Age/George Winston piece. (4.5/5)

6. "Cerbero" (9:25) My favorite piece on the album. Very impressive. (19/20) - Promenade - a swinging bassa-jazz-rock piece with Hammond and incidental synths in support. Vocals and violin help out later. - Le Tre Teste - bass, bird noises, and plaintive solo violin are joined by Hammond, drums, Fender, and Mellotron in turns before Minimoog takes the fore. The three heads are presented with vocal acting and three instruments: Hammond, Mellotron, and Fender Rhodes with electric guitar and violin playing lesser roles. - La Guerra All'Idrogeno - an excellent and nicely dramatic musical finish to the suite.

7. "Risveglio, Procreazione E Dubbio Pt. II" (9:31) very nicely constructed symphonic prog registering on the softer, more melodic side. (18/20) - Epilogo - Coda - L'Addio

Total Time: 50:06

'There's something about the constructs and compositional style of this music that hits all my "like" buttons: there's an ELP/YES/EGG/Canterbury quality and sound here that really grabs me unlike most Rock Progressivo Italiano. Glass Hammer is the closest band I can compare these guys with from the Anglo World.

A-/4.5 stars; a minor masterpiece of progressive rock music and one of the finer RPI albums of the 2000s.

Don't let the album title provide any confusion: this is not a neo prog album, but instead is a high class RPI release that has been heavily influenced by PFM and most especially Seventies ELP. Although they do have a guest guitarist who makes the odd appearance, for the most part this is band with a highly complex rhythm section, an amazing keyboard player, and a wonderful singer. There is only one thing wrong with this album, and that is it is only fifty minutes long! I could plat this all day, probably every day. When music is as good as this, played my musicians as highly skilled as these, then it is always a delight from start to end. Melodies and counter melodies, traditional style keyboard sounds, fretless bass, incredibly deft touches on beautiful piano, a wise use of guests (the sax, when it is employed, works incredibly well). This is just so good it is hard to know where to start.

I am amazed that this album didn't make a much bigger splash when it was released in 2007, and I firmly believe that the title probably had quite a lot to do with it, as it may well have put off some people who may otherwise have investigated it. This was their second studio release, and as this had taken six years from the debut, hopefully that it is now ten years since this came out there may be another be in the works (certainly that is implied, hopefully, from their Facebook site). If you enjoy regressive progressive rock, taking you back to the heady days of the Seventies, then this is something that needs to be investigated. There is space, there is light and shade, there are dynamics and elements of real grace. I can't rate this too highly.

It has become easy. You just follow the sad two star rating trail of proggophobic morons, consisting of heroes like daemacho, waeguk, vagabond1, marfish and so on and they will lead you infallibly to progressive rock masterpieces. I don't know what's the matter with these guys. Isn't there a nice hip hop site for them to visit? I love listening to the albums I like and I forget about the ones I didn't. Not everyone has the same taste.

Having listened a couple of times in a row, to Neo, I got more and more impressed. La Torre Del'Alchimista is a fantastic band, well led by keyboard player, Michele Muti, a true virtuoso and a prolific composer. Those who love their keyboard sounds vintage, are well served on this album. The vocals, performed by Michele Giardino, are as with most Italian bands, sung in Italian and that adds to the music. The band is mainly a keyboard, bass & drums line up, but there are some excellent participations of guest players on a flute, sax, violin and guitars.

The music is quite complex, but never loses sense of harmony and first class melodies. I think Neo is one of the finest products of the "new Italian progrock school" and I won't hesitate to call it a masterpiece, which will enter my cd player many more times.

progpig66.

The following years were quite busy for La Torre Dell' Alchimista.Adding Elena Biagioni on keyboards they were invited to the 2002 Nearfest in New Jersey, a performance captured in the 2005 live CD ''USA ... you know?''.The group was part of another major Prog event, the 2004 Gouveia Art Rock Festival in Portugal, opening the gig of Isildurs Bane.Meanwhile Biagioni, flutist Silva Ceraolo and drummer Noberto Mosconi left the group and were replaced by Michelangelo Donadini on drums and Mauro Donini on flute and sax, while, as the Kaliphonia had folded, they found a new home on MaRaCash Records.Preparations for a second album begun in 2006, but soon Donini also quit for personal reasons and the album was recorded as a quartet with a few guests on guitars, violin and flute.''Neo'' was released eventually in 2007.

Despite the busy programm and the line-up changes, this new work finds La Torre Dell' Alchimista in great shape.They insist on playing a melodic Symphonic Rock with dual and triple keyboard fanfares, combining the drama of GENESIS' compositions, the extreme technique of KEITH EMERSON and the romanticism of LE ORME's delicate approach.Everything in the album is well-composed and nicely executed.From the very good, crystal-clear vocals of Michele Giardino to the melodic passages and the bombastic acrobatics of Michele Mutti.The music is quite amazing with impressive breaks and good melodies, based mainly on the vintage organ washes and the dreamy Mellotrons of Mutti.As with their debut guitars are used sporadically and the style of the group is led by Classical-inspired themes, very dense keyboard interplays and a heavy dose of ethereal movements.Mutti's performance on synthesizers is pretty limited and he uses them exactly when needed, while the instrumental parts are quite extended with a high technical level, always delivered in memorable compositions.The material is not exactly original, as traces of the past legends are always waiting in the corner, but the combination of romantic soundscapes with more grandiose atmospheres is more than welcome.

Simultaneously the group was in search of an additional member and finally multi-instrumentalist Matteo Mondini joined them shortly after.However the inactivity of La Torre Dell' Alchimista gives birth for the questionable future of the group.

Very good Symphonic Rock with influences both from the Italian and British scene of the 70's.Again this is not very original stuff, but the nice compositions of ''Neo'' are certainly more than rewarding.Strongly recommended...3.5 stars.

Is the title of the second Torre Dell Alchimista album a nod to the neo-prog scene? Well, if it is you'd never guess from the music, which aside from a few keyboard textures doesn't draw very much on neo-prog. Instead, what we have here is more symphonic-derived RPI gorgeousness along similar lines to the band's first album, which perhaps a few more jazzy touches here and there as well as some nods to Emerson Lake and Palmer (with main keyboardist Michele Mutti referencing some of the same classical pieces that Keith Emerson turned his hand to in days gone by). It's a pleasant and enjoyable RPI album that keeps the flame alive for the style of prog practised by the likes of early Banco.

Don't let the title of La Torre Dell'Alchimista's second album (Neo) fool you - this is no neo-prog group, but a symphonic prog-inspired RPI band creating music in the tradition of their forefathers in the golden age of Italian prog. Thanks to Ceraolo Silva's presence on flute, there's plenty of influence from the prettier and more pastoral end of the RPI spectrum, as occupied by bands such as PFM and Locanda Delle Fate, whilst Mutti Michele's keyboard work is often reminiscent of Keith Emerson, especially when the Hammond organ comes into play.

La Torre's mastery of the technical side of this particular style of progressive rock is impressive and displays an impressive knowledge and appreciation of the Italian scene's history. (Even the ELP influences are more than appropriate, thanks to the role ELP played in popularising important Italian prog acts in the English-speaking world through their Manticore Records releases.) That said, there's a certain extent to which the band rely a little too much on stylistic imitation of earlier waves of prog and they don't seem to bring enough fresh ideas to the table compositionally speaking.

Even though this debut might not be the most original album out there, it should warm the hearts of most RPI and symphonic prog fans and is at least worth a listen, though don't expect anything that will muscle its way into the top tier of your collection.

While 2007's Neo was a more compelling piece of work to my ears this eponymous debut from La Torre Dell'Alchimsta released six years previous is nevertheless very good and a surprisingly mature piece of work from a band at such an early stage in their career.

There's no getting away from the fact that here is an album steeped in the traditions of 70's Italian symphonic prog, the warm organic production making it sound more so. However whilst bands like Banco and Le Orme must have influenced them they manage to retain their own identity by not sounding like a direct copy of these or any other bands from the genre. With the absence of electric guitar keyboards dominate with Hammond organ having a strong presence and they make considerable use of flute too. The competent rhythm section hold thing together well enough though sometimes lack the drive to really push things up a notch. The vocals of Giardino Michele whilst adequate are a little bland leaving the weight of the albums appeal leaning on keyboardist Mutti Michele's shoulders. Fortunately he takes up the challenge producing some exciting playing on the nine compositions, providing jazzy touches alongside the largely symphonic style.

Whilst this debut is a very worthwhile album it's far from essential. Nevertheless, still worth a listen but I'd suggest going for Neo first.

There's no accounting for taste is there. I was blown away by their debut but I knew after one listen that "Neo" was a different beast. It's been 6 years since their debut and they now have a new drummer, but more importantly their flute player has left. So that's one big difference, a lot less flute. The mellotron is more prominant though but the vocals and songs for me aren't as good as on the debut. Now understand that by far the majority feel that "Neo" is an upgrade over the debut. So big surprise that my thoughts and feelings about this album are in the minority.

"Dissimmetrie" is keyboard led and a little jazzy to start. Vocals 2 minutes in.Lots of organ in this one. It settles before 6 1/2 minutes with reserved vocals and mellotron. "Medusa" features some great sounding mellotron which is contrasted with the keyboards. Vocals and piano after a minute. Themes are repeated. Nice bass after 4 minutes. I like the mellotron that comes and goes. "Idra" is a piano laden track. "Risveglio Procreazione E Dubbio Pt.I" is led by bass, drums and keyboards in this uptempo intro. It settles with mellotron and acoustic guitar.It kicks back in. Vocals and a calm before 2 minutes. It gets fuller. Another calm after 6 1/2 minutes and before 9 minutes. Some guest violin and piano here. "L'amore Diverso" features laid back piano melodies throughout.

"Cerbero" is uptempo with keyboards and drums. Mellotron comes and goes.Theatrical vocals and violin follow. Crickets after 2 minutes. I thought it was my phone 'cause my ring-tone is the sound of crickets. Ok maybe I shouldn't have said that (haha). I like the synths 3 1/2 minutes with organ and drums. Themes are repeated. A calm after 6 minutes before kicking back in a minute later. "Risveglio Procreazione E Dubbio Pt.II" opens with drums, bass, mellotron and keys. Great sound. Synths and drums lead before 3 minutes. A calm with flute 4 1/2 minutes. Synths are back with drums and bass. Vocals are back after 6 1/2 minutes. Mellotron follows then synths and violin.

If I hadn't heard the debut I might have given this 4 stars so maybe 3.5 stars isn't fair, but i'll stick with the debut thankyou.

Greg Walker recommended this to me a some time ago and on his site he refers to it as "Killer 70's style Prog". Even the cover art is classic Italian don't you think ? The emphisis is certainly on the variety of keyboards used plus there's lots of flute. What i'm most impressed with though are the vocals, just the tone of his voice which thankfully is in Italian.

I like the way "Eclisse" builds as drums join in followed by piano. Organ then takes the lead. A calm with flute after a minute are contrasted with outbursts of organ. Pulsating synths with drums, bass and vocals before 2 1/2 minutes. Great sound here. Strummed guitar comes in later. "Delirio" is uptempo with flute, drums and piano standing out. Vocals after a minute. Love how this sounds.The organ comes in screaming before 3 minutes. "La Torre Dell'Alchimsta" is flat out amazing ! Mellotron to open as flute joins in. It turns uptempo as organ and drums take over. Vocals arrive as it settles before 1 1/2 minutes. Some nice bass and organ follow. A heavenly soundscape 2 1/2 minutes in. Mellotron is back. This is absolutely gorgeous and moving. Vocal melodies before 6 minutes. "Il Volo" opens with acoustic guitar as fragile vocals join in. Some atmosphere here. A change after 4 minutes as the tempo picks up with strummed guitar.

"L'apprendista" is uptempo with drums and flute to open. Organ comes blasting in around a minute. A change to a darker sound a minute later. Nice. It settles as reserved vocals come in. It kicks back in at 3 1/2 minutes. Lots of organ late. Amazing song ! "I Figli Della Mezzanotte" features keyboards, light drums, flute and bass. Vocals before a minute. The organ sounds great here. "La Persistenza Della Memoria" is filled with these inspiring piano melodies throughout. "Lo Gnomo" is uptempo to start with flute, drums and organ standing out. Vocals before a minute as it settles. Contrasts continue. "Acquario" opens with a powerful sound but it lightens quickly with flute, synths and drums. Vocals and organ follow. Beautiful. Deep bass lines 3 1/2 minutes in with piano and cymbals. Cool section. Some heavy organ after 5 minutes. Jazzy 7 minutes in.

I tried to reason out why this isn't a 5 star album, but in the end there are no reasons. A classic.

3.5 stars...

A relatively new Italian band,playing progressive rock definitely of symphonic realms and trying to recapture the 70's feeling.They were found in 1997 by Michele Giardino (vocals,acoustic guitars),Davide Donadoni (bass,clarinet) and Michele Mutti (keyboards) and a year later they were joined by drummer Noberto Mosconi.In 1999 LA TORRE DELL ALCHIMISTA started playing alive around Italy,while they added Silvia Ceraolo on flutes about the same time.The dawn of the millenium found the band sifning with Kaliphonia Label and on February of 2001 they recorded their eponymous debut...

A refreshing yet so retro-sounding release full of the vintage keyboard sounds of Mutti.You won't find any electric guitars in LA TORRE DELL ALCHIMISTA's debut,as their compositions are centered around Mutti's keyboards,Ceraolo's flutes and some acoustic guitars played by singer Michele Giardino.Their style is a cross of LE ORME and BANCO DEL MUTUO SOCCORSO,being melodic yet certainly dramatic at the same time.Nice organ solos and passages,distinctive mellotron parts and some background Fender Rhodes piano will thrill every progressive fan of the old times,accompanied by the good interplays between flutes,acoustic guitars,bass and drums.All these stuff is strongly mixed with the great voice of Giardino,whose vocal chords are very crystalline and intense...A fantastic debut lovers for all the freaks out there,who can't get enough of vintage-sounding adventures!