I TEOREMI

The 1999 Akarma CD has a different running order than the Vinyl Magic, but it is the Akarma to which I am accustomed and will refer to that version here. The album begins with "Nuvola Che Copri Il Sole," a bluesy number with tons of energy right out of the gate. Immediately noticeable is the attention-grabbing voice of Vincenzo Massetti, who sounds like a soulful Roman version of Paul Rogers. This guy isn't afraid to belt it out, and does so early and often. By "Qualcosa D'irreale" you start to realize this isn't typical rock music, as the rhythm section starts doing some unexpected odd-meter and syncopated unison work. The three musicians are clearly rehearsed and tight, yet retain an off-the-cuff realism that is much appreciated. Massetti especially goes for it, attempting a high-string tightrope walk that isn't always pretty, yet he somehow never falls. At the four-minute mark any doubts you may still have subside, as the guitars interlock for a classically-inspired break that will make RDM and New Trolls fans blush.

Three shorter songs follow which further demonstrate the remarkable riff-writing abilities of I Teoremi. Of main interest to prog rock followers are the two long songs that follow: "Impressione" (which opens the original LP and CD) shifts from weighty electric R&B to spacey psych in one fell swoop; "Mare Della Traquillita" features a lengthy drum solo and even some cavernous piano to up the prog ante. The Akarma CD has a couple of bonus tracks featuring the group's first single and B-side, which are nice additions. The digital delivery of I Teoremi offers the same track sequence, and is a cheap $8 download. I Teoremi should belong in any Heavy/Psych collection, but RPI purists may be turned off by the seemingly one-dimensional aspect of the album; repeated listens may win them over.

The sprawling IMPRESSIONE features superb shifts in dynamics, from its spaced-out guitar solo to the frenetic 6-string monologue that immediately follows. The pace slows a bit with NUVOLA CHE COPRI IL SOLE. Lord Enzo's impassioned vocals take centre stage here, ably supported by an intricate bass line and crunching guitar. QUALCOSA D'IRREALE is another highlight, with guitar and bass lines wrapped together like a pair of copulating snakes. Moments of respite are few and far between but the closing track, A CHI NON SARA PIU, contains some acoustic guitar of all things. It also has one of the album's best melodies. The remaining two tracks, PASSI DA GIGANTE and the instrumental IL DIALOGO DI UN PAZZO, are rather pedestrian in comparison to the other tracks.

I Teoremi is all about raw energy rather than subtlety and complex structures. Their album contains a couple of weak tracks, but otherwise the compositions are good. If you're in the mood for some good honest Blues-rock, featuring lengthy guitar solos and monstrous bass, then this should hit the spot nicely.

"Nuvola Che Copri Il Sole" starts off rather calmly then those passionate vocals come in as the sound gets fuller. Check it out before 3 1/2 minutes when the vocals stop and the guitar comes to the fore. Vocals are back before 5 minutes. "Qualcosa D'Irreale" opens with guitar followed by bass and drums then vocals. A powerful yet restrained tune actually. Vocal melodies 3 1/2 minutes in with the guitar to follow making lots of noise. "A Chi Non Sara Piu" has a nice drum intro then it kicks in quickly. This is raw and heavy. It does settle some after 2 1/2 minutes as the guitar solos, but not for long.

"Il Dialogo Di Un Pazzo" opens with gentle guitar before the bass, drums then vocals join in. It's still fairly laid back. Vocal melodies follow. Themes are repeated. Good song. "Passi Da Gigante" is another raw sounding track with vocals. Vocal melodies before 2 minutes and later. A calm after 3 1/2 minutes to end it. "Impressione" is my favourite. A great dark mood to this one and I love the drumming. Vocals before a minute. The guitar is outstanding after 3 minutes.The intro is reprised then we get some ripping guitar after 6 minutes. "Mare Della Tranquillita" is an instrumental with an energetic intro. The guitar is excellent. This is the only time I hear keyboards on this album as well. It does settle after 1 1/2 minutes then kicks back in. Check out the guitar and drums 4 1/2 minutes in.The drums then dominate until the guitar takes over after 7 1/2 minutes. Great tune.

The two bonus tracks feature their original singer and I like his voice better. Especially on the final track where he just gives it all he's got. A pretty straight forward and raw sounding album but I like it a lot.

The only album by this group is not a typical Italian prog album. It is a hard rock influenced prog album and the keyboards are featured in only one track. In my opinion this album would be hard to classify progressive without the great rhythm section. It is much more imaginative to the usual hard rock bands of the seventies and actually better than most progressive groups used to have. It is the bassist Aldo Bellanova who really stands out. The overall sound is more reminiscent of the overseas groups, especially the style of the electric guitarist. His playing is also very good but might not please everyone because of the hard rock style. This album shouldn't be expected to be similar to the symphonic Italian groups.

The best tracks in this album are "Nuvola che Copri il Sole", "A chi non Sara piu" and "Mare della Tranquillita". The cd version includes two bonus tracks "Sognare" and "Tutte le Cose", both similar to the original album tracks. The latter one of the bonus tracks is a cover of Jethro Tull's "With you there to Help me", but with Italian vocals.

Conclusion: This a good work in hard rock style.