DIVAE

An Italian Band of the 90 decade but with a seventies sound. Sadly, they only released one single album, but the Italian progressive rock scene is notorious for its many short-lived acts who only released one album. Divae offers italian symphonic tunes in the vein of the bands that we all like. The use of keyboards is liberal. Keyboards are quite encouraging and pleasant. Vento che va - is the highlight of the album. Il Balletto Di Bronzo keyboardist Gianni Leone and Osanna's Lino Vairetti contribute on this song. A 90´s gem, no less. To my ears it sounds as a good album. 4 stars.

One-shot mid-90's Italian Prog group.Divae came from Roma and were a 6-piece act with Alessandro Costanzo on vocals, Luis Dragotto Moraleda on guitars, keyboardists Marco Vantini and Enzo DiFrancesco, bassist Romolo Amici and Ugo Vantini on drums.Their sole album ''Determinazione'' came out in 1995 on Progressivamente.This work features several guest musicians, among them legends Gianni Leone from Il Balletto di Bronzo (keyboards in the 4th track) and Lino Vairetti from Osanna (sings the lyrics in the 8th track).

Typical mid-90's Italian Symphonic Rock with more than obvious references to the golden 70's age is what Divae had chosen to play and most of the time they do it quite succesfully, although the band has no particular personality.They sound much like CONSORZIO ACQUA POTABILE and IL CASTELLO DI ATLANTE, offering both dramatic and sensitive sections in their arrangements.There are plenty of keyboard passages to be found throughout, mainly synths, which create an overall sharp but still romantic atmosphere.While no track shines in particular, all of them are well-arranged with some complicated interplays, melodic guitar solos, bombastic symphonic synths as well as some limited organ waves.These ideas are wisely blended with the good harmony of the Italian language, as performed by Costanzo's expressive chords.The huge synths' parts bring to mind the keyboard-driven sound of NUOVA ERA.The alternation between the romantic and less explosive parts with the bombastic keyboard-led instrumentals are definitely the highlights of the album, as proposed by many Italian groups.

Unfortunately Divae wasn't meant to record any further, as the group seems to have split up shortly after this release.Bassist Amici and drummer Ugo Vantini played alongside Gianni Leone in the Il Balletto Di Bronzo's 99' live reincarnation ''Trys'', while Vantini moved on with Italian Prog group Vu Meters.

If you are a fan of Classic Italian Prog look no further.Unoriginal but still impressive Italian Progressive Rock with resemblances to SITHONIA, HOPO, C.A.P. and IL CASTELLO DI ATLANTE.Recommended.

One of our friends in the Italian thread recently asked about synthesizer-oriented RPI bands and Divae was the first name that came to my mind. Their sole release 'Determinazione' is peppered with some sterling guitar work, but essentially it's a keyboards album with synthesizer as the dominant force. According to the sleeve notes Divae's main influences are the romantic rock of Camel and the rhythmic variations of Gentle Giant, plus Italian bands of the '70s such as Locanda, Banco and Le Orme.

The title of the closing track, 'Il Ritorno Del Gigante Gentile', and an endorsement by Gary Green certainly point to Gentle Giant as a major inspiration. However in spite of the allusion to Gentle Giant in the title, this multi-part instrumental seems to be based on the Mandrake the Magician comic strip and it actually sounds like ELP with some powerful Hammond organ. You might want to check out the MP3/stream here on ProgArchives and judge for yourself.

You'd be forgiven for thinking this album is an exile from the Gentle Giant catalogue as their influence is also present in the title of another track, which roughly translates from Italian as 'Gargantua blasphemes God and is turned into a stone giant and posted to guard the lair of the dragon of Altomonte... where his eyes scan the horizon for all eternity over the Sea of Sibari'. Gargantua is Pantagruel's father in Rabelais' 16th century series of novels, reflecting Gentle Giant's 'Pantagruel's Nativity' and 'The Advent of Panurge' (Panurge was Pantagruel's friend in the third book). This is another glorious instrumental piece with a bit of Camel-inspired guitar slicing though the synthesizer and Mellotron.

The album's only other instrumental, 'E Con Il Mattino Torneranno Gli Eroi', is a beautiful track that's interlaced with motifs from Grieg's 'Morning Mood'. The dreamlike ballad 'Vento Che Va' is led by flute and features guest appearances by Gianni Leone (synthesizer, organ) and Lino Vairetti (vocals), but regular vocalist Alessandro Costanzo's main influence is Ian Gillain and fortunately there are several wilder, heavier songs for Alessandro to get his laughing gear around.

Divae undoubtedly draw heavily on the raw materials of the aforementioned and other bands, with them seemingly cutting a course through the giants of UK progressive music. However 'Determinazione' is so much more than straightforward aggregation of other bands' styles; the resultant tracks are highly impressive and the album deserves a much firmer footing on PA. This is a strong 4-star work that may in time grow on me enough to light up that fifth star.

Look out everyone in PA-land = BIG ONE!

If there ever was an RPI album that truly deserved some "amore", then this singular solo outing from the depths of early prog Renaissance circa 1995 is a prime candidate. I for one have been holding on to this gem for a longtime, as it doesn't come across immediately as a must-have. But it is, oh yes very much so! Even my respected colleague sinkadotentree has anointed only a paltry 3 stars (truth be said, it was one of his very early review contributions!) and nary a word has been expressed by our glorious RPI crew. Well, I officially challenge finnforest, jimmyrow, LinusW , Mandrakeroot and the Mickster to revisit this underrated wonder and concur with my glowing comments as well as those from Enrico Olivieri of Metamorfosi and the legendary Gary Green of Gentle Giant, both effusive in their praise as it was printed in the booklet. The latter was even invited to Italy to play on stage with Divae in September 1995 and it was an memorable experience, to say the least. With respected featured guests as Gianni Leone of Il Balletto di Bronzo and Lino Vairetti of Osanna , one wonders why "Determinazione" is not swimming in praise and deeply revered! From the opening instrumental entrance, the sheer quality surfaces to the fore, simply splendid musicians setting down their credentials , a dual keyboard line-up made famous by Banco, Il Volo and UK band Greenslade , ably assisted by a superb fretman Luis Dragotto Morelada, a simmering rhythm section composed of robust bassman Romolo Amici and drum meister Ugo Vantini (both truly exceptional) and an occasional talented vocalist steeped in the RPI tradition of powerful and emotional delivery. The playing is rooted in a more complex form of symphonic prog than usual, perhaps even more orchestral with a slightly harder edge, where tubular bells coalesce nicely with cymbal flourishes, whooping romantic synth bellows embellishing colossal themes (a little classical music air is lifted unashamedly), oozing guitar bursts that illuminate and emblazon the arrangement, inspiring future Dark Matter-era IQ but with more symphonics expansion. The comparisons to CAP are inherently correct and that's a good thing! "Libero" is where these boys start espousing their Giant chops (they were a GG cover band initially, wow! ), with assorted death defying twists and turns, jumbled piano fighting off scorching synth assaults while the bass burps frenetically, the drums pounding in support. Manic and exalted yet suddenly a highly quixotic piano waltzes in, encouraged by a fabulous vocal aria full of élan and passion. "Robin Hood" has a harpsichord intro (a sadly underused instrument in prog) bleeding into a mighty church organ blast, as the powerful vocal storyline enters the fray, loaded with vibrato-laden lungs and zealous release. A grandiose mellotron torrent is fusioned with a synth soar that winks mightily at Emerson's "Lucky .Man". The next track's title is 3 lines long so let's just call it "Gargantua." and it features Gianni Leone on synthesizer and Hammond , digitally upgrading an inspiring and majestic theme , full of bravura and dizzying inspiration , a gentle 'tron section that evokes dreaminess and vaporous expanse before reverting to the slalom-like main refrain. A definite highlight of this splendid disc, an 8 minute travelogue of pleasure prog, where Leone showcases his improvising skill on flirting with that magnificent theme, as a soaring two-tired guitar flight that bumps the goose big time is tossed in, just in case! The soloing is like ripping his synths to shreds. "Regina delle Fate" has some outright ELP intonations, loaded with blistering keyboard interplay, rivet-popping bass and propulsion drums leading the way, as the guitar slashes like a harvester's scythe. But contrary to the famed trio, Divae keep endlessly exploring new horizons as an incredible vocal aria increases the splendor and the symphonic orgasm heightens ever so powerfully. Unbelievably brilliant stuff! "Frammenti" , as the title implies, searches out more complex polyrhythmic expanses, with some precise instrumental gymnastics that lean heavily on the GG/jazz-rock time tortures but adding exalted male lead vocals that reaches for the skies, female backing voices celestially imploring the heavens, vortexian surges and sonic tornadoes bathing in orchestral magnificence with brash Moog punctuations. Incredible and diverse, Divae take no time to take a nap, persistently weaving into new realms. The follow up title track is another scorching exercise in mind-numbing proficiency and inspiration, a typical RPI master stroke replete with lyrical dramatics, brief dreamy respites and powerful explosions (the vocalist really does an accomplished Ian Gillan imitation as he howls convincingly), where undulating synth waves meet phosphorescent axe adventures. The brief drum/bass/Moog interplay midway through is simply spellbinding and we haven't even hit a bum note yet! A scarily good guitar swirl adds to the pleasure. "Vento Che Va" is the album's serene episode where guest Lino Vairetti 's sultry voice enters the limelight, with divine flute and acoustic guitar chaperones, a windy little enchantment that can only heighten the gratification. The disc closes with the superlative wordless tribute to their main influence, "Il Ritorno del Gigante Gentile" (Return of the Gentle Giant), a dozen minutes of glorious frenzy that brightly encapsulates all the mercurial qualities of Power and Glory of the musical Octopus that idealized the Glass House. There is little to say other than it is a magical journey into creative prog exploration, unrestrained in diversity as illustrated by the ostentatious fanfare of the second section (Principessa Narda), nestled between 2 avalanches of sound and fury. The third section (il Tiempo) cockily wields musical unpredictability and fate, boldly enforcing the placid tempo before the raging storm of the last battle ("L'Ultima Battaglia"). The respectful homage ends with "One Day, One Friend " and "Goodbye Giant". So, in essence, I can now boldly state that this one shot-wonder of an album is a precious addition and therefore a necessary one to add even into the beginner RPI collection. It is as vital as resonant as all the other famous and luminary titles that make the genre famous. Divae's drawback is that it didn't get enough love and respect. Kind of strange from the land of love and passion. So I wish ardently to redress this inglorious affront by adoringly rating it with five determined stars. Gentlemen, start your reviews! Let's give this masterpiece some AMORE!

A 90's Italian band with two keyboardists, so you know where the emphasis is going to be, but the drumming is a highlight throughout this record as well. Lot's of mellotron, hammond organ and guitar solos too. And the vocals are quite strong but fairly average in my opinion.

Speaking of vocals, the singer from OSANNA does a terrific job on my favourite track "Vento Che Va" as a guest vocalist, the flute is beautiful on that song as well. Gianni Leone from IL BALLETTO DI BRONZO guests on the keyboards and organ on song 4, the one with a paragraph for a title. This is an instrumental that offers up some good contrasts and some tasteful guitar as well. There is actually a CAMEL feel to the first song.

Lots of proggy moments but I can only offer up 3 stars because I just don't enjoy it that much.

Divae their first serious gig was as a support act from Italian progrock legend Le Orme in Rome's Palladium in 194. Then the band started to write compositions and end 1995 Divae performed on several festivals: The Marechiaro Blues Festival (along Banco, The Jack Bruce Band and Jefferson Starship), the Palladium in Rome (during a mdley with Gentle Giant songs guitarplayer Gary Green joined Divae on stage) and The Music Of Freedom Festival (with Finisterre and the known Il Balletto Di Bronzo). On this debut CD Il Balletto Di Bronzo keyboardist Gianni Leone and Osanna's Lino Vairetti contribute on one song (Vento Che Va). Divae has two keyboard players, the drummer also plays keyboards so it's no surprise that their music is often keyboard driven with echoes from Banco (Hammond organ) and PFM (flashy synthesizer flights). The music also evokes Gentle Giant and Camel. Strong points are the interplay between the guitarist and the keyboard player, the passionate vocals (with theatrical undertones) and the captivating shifting moods. Their sound is fresh and dynamic, unfortunately Divae turned out to be another promising Italian one shot band.

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This is the only album by this 90's Italian group Divae (pronounced Diva, with a silent e). It's a very good album. Divae uses synthesizers, Hammond and mellotron. As a matter of fact, this band has dual keyboards. The first band that comes to my mind from the 70's Italian progressive scene is Banco del Mutuo Soccorso and I guess it's not unfair to say that they have been an influence for Divae. Divae has especially very good keyboard work and in this album the keyboards definitely are the instruments that create the majority of the sound world. Despite this they don't outshine the rest of the instruments (imagine Banco or Locanda delle Fate). The voice is very good as you can usually expect from Italian bands. Sadly it looks like this album was to be their only one. This is a very good album, not among the very best of the 90's Italian groups, but a very good nevertheless.

Worth noticing is that this album includes Gianni Leone (synth and hammond) of Il Balletto di Bronzo and Lino Vairetti (vocals) of Osanna fame among a few other guest musicians. They both appear in only one track.

My favourite track is the instrumental "Gargantua bestemmia Dio e viene trasformato nel gigante di pietra posto a guardia della tana del drago di Altomonte. da dove il suo sguardo scruta l'orizzonte per l'eternita sino al dorato mare di Sibari" Huh!? It's also the track in which Gianni Leone (synthesizer & Hammond) participates.

Conclusion: Essential nineties prog in the 70's Italian tradition.

Another Italian band from '90s that captures the essence of seventies. Maybe a little bit heavier than CAP or IL CASTELLO, DIVAE offers more than an hour with a very nice interplay between guitar and vintage keyboards (including Hammond and Mellotron), energetic drums, an impressive singer, some classical and jazzy touches and a lot of changes from moody to pompous sounds. Specially recommended for the Italian vintage music fans.