ARBEIT MACHT FREI

My favorite RPI band presents a absolute knock-out on first attempt. All the compositions are pure magic. The musicians skills just blows me away. From the first second, this album takes a grip on me and doesnt let me go untill the last note. During the 36 minutes it takes me on an emotional journey that includes everthing from intellegent rockriffs, jazzy passages, canterburylike melodies and avant expressions. The arrangements on this album always develops and surprises me. Never a dull moment.

And on top of that, the extreordinare voice of late Demetrio Stratos. Sadly i dont understand italian but Stratos expession talks to me anyway. He had a strong and demanding tone with an personal way to craft his melodies with total control over his voice. A unique way to sing. He may be an aquired taste but give him a chance.

The album feels like an Italian mix of early Magma, Zappa on inca roads, Present, early Lifetime and Captain Beefhart.

This is maybe not an easy listning but if you give it your time, the reward can be breathtaking.

In this, my first review i wanted to highlight an absolute favourite. I have listned to many RPI bands but AREA is something extra. And this album is, in my opinion, their absolute best.

A must have, i think, for everyone who likes RPI, RIO, Zeuhl, jazzrock and canterbury.