EPSILON

FEM stands for Forza Elettro Motrice, the real name of this group from Meda, Italy, evolving in 2007 out of the ashes of an act named QK and its former members keyboardist Alberto Citterio, guitarist Paolo Colombo and singer Paolo Borgonovo with Marco Buzzi taking over the bass and Dimitri Merati recruited as the drummer.The following year Merati and Borgonovo were replaced by Matteo Paparazzo and Raffaele Chiummo with Stella Colombo joining for a brief period on violin.Line-up changes continued in 2009 with Paparazzo being replaced by Emanuele Borsati and Chiummo quiting in 2010, as Giacomo Balzarotti enters the picture on vocals and classical guitar.At the time FEM Prog Band had evolved from a cover act to a group with its own material, which was offered for the first time through the 2012 private EP ''Epsilon''.

Having being an act which started playing covers of P.F.M., BANCO DEL MUTUO SOCCORSO, LE ORME and other classic Italian bands, it is pretty reasonable that FEM's style contains evident hints from the Italian Prog scene.They come close to the likes of RANDONE and second period LE ORME, maybe with a more pronounced modern flavor through the constant use of synthesizers, and if you search for melodic Progressive Rock with romantic Italian lyrics you should look no further.The music of FEM has evident symphonic orientations with the omnipresent synths being supported by beautiful piano textures, while the guitar parts are carefully played with a fair sense of melody.Of course the powerful keyboards do add a Neo Prog approach to the whole album, but there are still some discreet organ to be found in here, while even the voice of Giacomo Balzarotti comes in a very poetic style, similar to Italian singers of the past.All pieces are pretty strong with bombastic instrumental themes, Classical references, instant melodies and impressive songwriting with cohesive links between the smoother and more dynamic changes and some atmospheric tension, which comes as a trademark of the group.

Really cool Italian Neo/Symphonic Prog.The first signs of FEM Prog Band are more than encouraging.A band to keep an eye on and a must have for fans of Italian-flavored Progressive Rock.Strongly recommended...3.5 stars.