UN'ALTRA MANO DI CARTE

This band from Ferrara put out a 2022 debut album that was met with both high ratings and positive comments from the community, and well deserved as they had been a Banco tribute group which helped them hone their considerable chops, having paid their dues for 17 long years. They have now just launched their sophomore release, and it is fair to say, that a new milestone has been reached. These 'ragazzi' form a well-oiled 'squadra' that plays offensive minded prog, with little holding back or kicking the ball around without purpose. Every detail is crisp and emotive, the pace endlessly varied, and the technique flawless.

"Joker" is an urgent prog tornado, a whirling dervish opener that has all the tastiest ingredients for a full-blown magnum opus in the making. Colossal riffs and thunderous beats combine to blow away both any rust or dust, a strangulating bass carving up any opposition, and a male vocal flow two Italian steps from Gentle Giant in tone, the chorus devastating and agreeably pompous. The piano and harpsichord whip out a couple of aces, the harmony choir vocals provide a series of red queens, a bluffing drum package to outdo all the odds, and a final full house to take the tokens to the cashier and venture off into the night. Deeply rooted in the RPI tradition of blending Italian folk, medieval music, prog and storytelling of the highest order, "Il Raconto di Juan della Sua Terra" submits to this thrilling style with a fervor only a couple of 'espressi corti' could fuel. The crisp Luca Trabanelli electric guitars, the somersaulting drum patterns of Paolo Bolognesi, a wicked reptilian bass courtesy of Francesco Gigante and Antonello Giovannelli's over the top keyboard showmanship keep the audition breathless and inspirational. Intertwined with acoustic guitar, punchy piano and Andrea Chendi's evocative singing, the spirit and mood of the often-brutal Spanish conquest of America are maintained at the highest level, a true team effort that puts music into a story with operatic zeal.

Inspired by the first Christmas of World War 1, the stately 10 minute+ epic "Natale 1914" suggests a sombre mood that needed to be galvanized by the tradition of family, so very steeped in Italian lore, in order to overcome the horror of the Great War and its interminable sacrifices. An homage to the millions of young men, dying in a variety of gruesome ways, from mass artillery, bayonet charges, exploding mines and even mustard gas attacks that choked the life out of many a conscript. Ambra Bianchi adds her celestial soprano wailing to a colossal main theme that is nearly eternal, the cobra bass coiling like rolls of barbed wire, the insistent Trabanelli guitar phrasings are irresistible, as the roar of war collides with the serenity of a truce between belligerents, this is just plain wonderful music. E basta!

A piano etude reveals the beauty of this instrument on the grandiose "?Non il Bergerac", with classy dual vocals as both Ambra and Andrea share the microphones. The overarching chorus sets in firmly as the arrangement rises into a massive anthem, every note perfectly placed, the pace resolute and the instrumental soloing blowing the roof off, a slippery synth blast followed by a bellowing axe explosion, the gears constantly shifting like the famed prancing horse known worldwide. A little traditional accordion canzone feel to finish off. Bravo!

The lovely Ambra takes over the vocally commanding "Chita", a poignant narrative of female emancipation and the long suffering of abuse that woman had to endure, being viewed as second class citizens. The central melody is bombastic and heartfelt, the piano and guitar dancing with each other in complete partnership, with a constant ebb and flow that keeps the foot squarely on the accelerator. Her final scat /wail spot is an absolute album high point, not too far from legendary Clare Torry territory, as Bolognesi syncopates a la Bill Bruford underneath with athletic gusto.

The thunder and lightning reappear on "Storie Perdute ", a rousing lesson in quality prog composition, stamped with equal amounts of vigor, contrast, mood, and passion. There is even a whistling section! Each member gets to extol the virtues of their capabilities, such as the duality of organ and mellotron, allied in work ethic, while the rhythm section wreaks havoc at every turn, like a controlled race with countless obstacles.

Already in January, with 11 months to go, this vital work has already been anointed (and added) to my very best list of 2025

5 dealer decks