BIGLIETTO PER L'INFERNO

Biglietto Per L'Inferno came from Lecco Italy in the early 70s and are most known for this collection on the heavier side of Italian prog. They employed dual keyboards here along with acoustic and electric guitars, flute, bass, drums and vocals with an Ian Gillan edge. While I don't speak Italian I have read repeatedly that the lyrics on this album are impressive. Many people consider this one of the very best Italian titles and I can't say I agree-I do like this but at the compositional level I feel there are better choices out there. The sound quality is often savaged by reviewers and while it is poor by today's standard it is certainly listenable-I've heard much worse. If you love Italian prog don't let the sound quality criticism stop you if the album sounds to your taste. The BTF reissue is high quality as usual with a gatefold mini-lp sleeve and a booklet with band history and lyrics.

"Ansia" begins with a stoic sounding acoustic guitar over very light keys, the bass joining shortly as the pace picks up. The drums and e guitar kick in for some brisk workout but it will alternate between lighter and heavier sections. The vocals come in very warm and placid for a brief appearance. The song is a nice introduction to the flavors the group will pursue in the longer songs. It doesn't take long into "Confessione" before you realize why this band is placed on the "harder" side of Italian prog as they quickly launch into some bombastic power chord chugging which were heavy in a Deep Purple sense at that time, but of course compared to today's metal bands it is really quite tame. Everything is kicked up a notch here, the vocals get much more dramatic and operatic, we get some down and dirty electric leads and some wild flute passages. This track is varied and rocking. "Una Strana Regina" begins with lovely piano that switches to keys over bass before some gentle vocals begin. By the middle it has heated up fiercely but again the shifts to mellow passages occur as with a light switch that they keep flipping on and off. There is a nice dreamy guitar solo around the 5 minute mark that morphs into a festive foot-stamping section until the end. "Il Nevare" almost parodies the style of loud to soft again and to me this approach has become a bit of a distraction. I love albums with variety but I'd prefer them to take some time building from one extreme to the other, whereas Biglietto sometimes seems so fast and arbitrary in their slow/fast/soft/heavy zig zagging. "L'Amico Suicida" is the big kettle of fish here at over 13 minutes. Beginning with a brooding heaviness featuring sound effects, synths, acoustic, and tom-toms the first two minutes are very effective. This track is by far the most impressive to me as they stretch out and explore some middle ground, filled with tasteful drumming, nice electric guitar flurries, emotional vocals, and excellent keyboard work. The keyboards and flutes are not flashy solo type affairs but are simply creating the background moods. The song finishes with nice dramatic flair. The BTF reissue CD then has a reprise of "Confessione," I'm not sure if this was on the original album or not. Certainly a recommended title for Italian fans shooting for a deep collection but not an essential title for others. I think this is good but just not among the very best Italian titles. 3 ½.