IL BACIO DELLA MEDUSA

I learned this Italian band from friend's recommendation, and the two first albums really made the suggestion worthwhile. I have not heard their latest third album on time of writing, and though I liked both of the two, I personally was yet more satisfied with their debut, focusing to more heavier art rock activity than their following record, that being really amazing too.

"Requiem Per I Condannati A Morte" kicks in with heavy stoner riffs, reminding a heavier incarnation of early Black Widow's line-up heard on "Return to The Sabbath". The horror themed vintage heavy prog with supporting female vocals and acoustic tender middle parts contain both fine instrumentations and powerful moods, following the Italian melodic traditions. Powerful bass supports this fine compositional approach culminating in intelligent arrangements and rhythmic changes, yet not confusing the listening experience or revealing attempts of adding unnecessary tricks for virtuosity displays.

"Orienteoccidente"'s ethereal psyhcedelic soundscape intro leads then to bluesy turmoil, reminding old rockers like Ten Years After and Agnus Strange, concluding to really heavy guitar storm. "Scorticamento Di Marsia", a small suite divided to several parts, is built from contrasting themes; Oppressing spacey ambiences, lovely caresses of flute-driven bucolic scenes, and bluesy progressions leading to more hectic acid rock guitar sequences. I appreciated here especially guitar's and flutes melodic dialogues. The later moments reveal some anxious sadder motives, then redeemed with more vital notes from the flautist, last rock passages leading to the bluesy beginning themes with sax solo in style of good old Colosseum records.

"Il Vino" opens trough soundscapes, and appeared to me as a traditional Italian folk's music sounding minor drinking song, shimmering with powerful passion though the vocal interpretation. After drinking, the sleeping time arrives with lullaby of flutes beautiful melodies on "Cantico Del Poeta Errante". A really lovely ballad gaining power from alterations of key shifts for "De Luxuria, Et De Ludo, Et De Taberna", preparing for the end of the album with doomy guitars descending in a form of Andalusian-sounding wild dancing. Composition visit also calmer acoustic phases, and the developments of the dominant themes conclude to a short circus scenario, closing this fabulous record.

Songs form dramatically pleasant flowing album entity, reaching much from their own tonal language's potential. I liked the quality of overall production, fine compositions and powerful male and female vocal duo presence. The record offered for me fine both artistic sensation and experience of rock&roll power, and it is certainly recommended. If you like more symphonic art rock requiring focus in listening, then the following "Discesa agl'inferi d'un giovane amante" album might be even yet more suitable for your tastes.