IL GIUSTO EQUILIBRIO

4½ stars really! Here's another discovery from the Black Widow Records' catalogue, the second album of an RPI group from Genova. I don't like the cover art at all, but that's the only bad thing on the whole album. For the very first minute when I listened to it, I felt a bit prejudiced: the familiar intensity in playing, and a totally uncultivated vocalist who sings in a nearly shouting manner. These features are too often present in modern RPI. However, pretty soon the opening track progresses in a much more enjoyable direction, and the flute raises a happy smile on my face. Also the vocals turn out to be more nuanced than at the very beginning. The band's excellently produced sound is keyboard oriented and has a good dose of Neo Prog reminding clarity. Within a same song there may be a moment resembling the classic 70's bands (ELP, Genesis) and after that an emotionally loaded, melodic section in the style of Marillion and such.

Three of the five tracks are between 11 and 14 minutes in length, two being 4½ minutes; the highly progressive compositions are well crafted, and the balance between instrumentality and the appearance of vocals is perfect. For example 'Giusto equilibrio' (13:30) has, after the fast beginning, a gorgeous slow vocal section with Neo-ish synth orientation, followed by several tempo changes, a classically flavoured keyboard solo, reappearance of vocals, and finally a great, pretty much Marillion-like electric guitar solo. If there was also the flute absent on this track, nothing could be better.

'Oric' is a ballad-like song with less progression (except for the Genesis-reminding instrumental tail featuring flute), which only makes the whole more dynamic and varied. 'Fuga dal Lago' (11:27) is an instrumental with many turns. I really love it, with all the soloing for keys, flute and guitar, and the soft, Camel-like melodicism. The long final track starts slowly, building the expectations of epicness that are luxuriously filled. I'm really happy to find out that this album sounds better with each subsequent listening. If you're into melodic symph prog as well as Neo Prog, and have a friendly attitude towards several influences shining through, this is to you. I'm sure that Il Guesto Equilibrio will appear on my list of the year's best albums.