CINQUE

This is quite the display of jazzy, complex, avant-garde music. Factor in the classically trained vocalist (Alberto Piras) who recalls the great Demetrio Stratos from AREA and we've got something very special here. I had this playing in my store today and a customer who was waiting for me to finish with someone else said "That has to be CAPTAIN BEEFHEART or ZAPPA ?" I told him it was DEUS EX MACHINA, but he had never heard of them, but he left impressed with what he heard.

The first track "Convolutos" actually reminds me a lot of ECHOLYN.This song is different from the rest. It's very laid back to start with. Violin and a fuller sound a minute in. Vocals 2 minutes in. Violin comes and goes. Check out the guitar after 4 1/2 minutes ! The drumming is killer as well. The vocals are so impressive. "Rhinoceros" features this repetitive beat. Guitar after a minute joins in. Vocals before 4 minutes. They become theatrical before 5 1/2 minutes as the guitar comes in aggressively. The organ work a minute later is outstanding. Awesome sound ! The guitar is on fire to end it. "Uomo Del Futuro Passato" opens with some raw sounding guitar. The tempo picks up as those incredible vocals join in. Organ,guitar and vocals seem to fight for the spotlight. Great sound 3 1/2 minutes in. It calms down before 5 minutes as we get a Canterbury flavour with keys and light drums. This amazing section continues until before 8 minutes when the guitar comes in abrasively to end it.

"Olim Sol Rogavit Terrami" is an interesting song because it's basically vocals and acoustic guitar but both change constantly throughout. Good tune. "Il Pensiero Che Porta Alle Cose Importanti" features wildly changing tempos until a steady rhythm arrives 1 1/2 minutes in with vocals. The organ is excellent but the vocals steal the show. A change 3 1/2 minutes in as the tempo picks up. Great sound. The guitar a minute later is anything but tasteful. Haha. "Luce" features intricate acoustic guitar and violin melodies throughout. They make it very interesting though. The mood changes often. "De Ordinis Ratione" opens with 1 1/2 minutes of amazing instrumental music. Vocals then come in. Guitar arrives before 3 1/2 minutes and promptly puts on a show. I like the way it ends with Alberto repeating this vocal line over and over. "Olim Sol Rogavit Terram II" features a string quartet. Vocals after 1 1/2 minutes. This one is kind of dark.

Highly recommended to all you adventerous Prog heads out there. This one won't disappoint.