NOSTOS

To me this new Italian five-piece band sounded as the most convincing one on the BIGLIETTO PER L'INFERNO-tribute DVD (also featuring members from LE ORME, BANCO and AREA). So I was very pleased to discover this debut-CD from Ubi Maior, it will be one of my Top 3 albums in 2005!

Vendetta (9.21): After an intro with twanging guitars and sensitive piano, a fluent rhythm follows delivering a Procol Harum-like Hammond organ sound and an adventurous rhythm-section. Then the music turns into the best progrock of new Italian bands I have heard since many years: heavy guitar-riffs, majestic choir-Mellotron, powerful and moving Italian vocals (a bit theatrical), howling electric guitars, SPLENDID!

Terra Madre (6.38): This track sounds as the Italian version of ELP their single success Lucky Man: the same dreamy, a bit melancholical climate, acoustic guitar and those sensational Moog flights.

Livia (3.12): Another dreamy piece with halfway a bombastic eruption. The piano play is wonderful.

Messia (9.36): A very strong composition with tasteful arrangements and subtle musical ideas. Lots of compelling parts featuring sumptuous Hammond organ, inspired vocals and fiery electric guitar. The flashy synthesizer runs bring early Marillion to my mind. This is a very dynamic song, especiallly in the final part delivering heavy guitar-riffs.

Oltre Il Vetro (3.45) : A mellow song featuring warm vocals, sensitive acoustic guitar (including a short solo) and soaring violin-Mellotron

Nostos (23.06) : The titletrack is the 'magnum opus' on this CD, it starts with twanging guitars, soaring keyboards and warm vocals, followed by a fragile Hammond solo, very tasteful. Then lots of flowing shifting moods, from dreamy to bombastic. Halfway a great build-up with a huge tension featuring propulsive guitar-riffs, powerful, a bit theatrical vocals, howling electric guitar runs, impressive choir-Mellotron and a grand finale delivering swirling organ and fat guitar licks, GREAT!

La Tua Casa Comoda (5.22) : The final song is a compelling and captivating one with pleasant work on the keyboards: sparkling piano, fine Mellotron and mellow organ. The final part contains a biting, wah-wah drenched electric guitar solo and floods of Hammond organ.

THIS CD DESERVES WORLDWIDE RECOGNITION, WHAT A WARM, INSPIRED AND STRONG PROGROCK SOUND!!