ULISSE - L'ALFIERE NERO

Some of my friends (all "prog maniacs") said to me "I think that I've already heard something like this before " and I answer "... me too ... but I liked so much !!!" In fact soon in the track 1 "La Gioia della Pace" the PREMIATA FORNERIA MARCONI's influence appears in a incontestable way; the mix from Progressive and the traditional Italian tarantella... but this opening track sounds very strong !!! The track 2 "La Strategia" is a meeting from styles - crossover/symphonic/jazz prog and reminds bands as for instance RETURN TO FOREVER, KANSAS,KING CRIMSOM, with ( both very well linking) different passages. The track 3 "Il Blue della Notte" shows the almost the same profile, the main contrast in relation to previous track is a less jazzy presence and a certain ( as said in the title) bluesy "touch" ! The track 4 "Il Rosso della Notte pt. 1" possesses a powerful riff as a main theme , which approximates the band to more heavy prog ! The track 5 "Il Rosso della Notte pt. 2" due some moments guided by the special guest Eloisa Manera's Violin interpolate more "soft" passages with a natural sequence of heavy prog present in pt 1! The track 6 "Un grande Eroe" seems like a recall from all musical "nuances" from whole album, starting by the main theme from the first track ! In spite of my first considerations from the strong and so evident influences from the monsters of prog... even so my rate is 5 stars !!!