IL PASSO DEL SOLDATO

Nuova Era is one of my favourite Italian bands (but there are many of them). Unlike many of the genre, they have released more than one album of which ''Il Passo.'' is the fourth one. It is a bit a pity that they didn't last for longer because their second and third efforts were extremely interesting. It seems that the band leader (Walter Pini-keyboards) has a project to release an album with a Tamproban musician. It will be a CD around the theme of Dante's Hell. Wait and see.

Needless to say that this work won't disappoint you if you are into the vintage keyboards/synthesizers sounds of the glorious seventies: mellotron, organ are just phenomenal and as often the case; the lead singer has a passionate and moving style (thanks Claudio).

This album is moderately lengthen (just under fifty five minutes) which is absolutely perfect. There is no moment of relief during this excellent offering. Maybe that ''Lo Spettro Dell'Agonia Sul Campo'' shines a little more, but frankly: there are no weak parts in here. Each song needs to be tasted accordingly (''L' Armistizio'' is another fave of mine).

Bombastic freaks: I highly recommend the short instrumental ''La Parata Dei Simboli''. An orgical symphony fully reminiscent of ELP. If you prefer the delicacy of some ''Renaissance'' style, you can go ahead with the long title track. A wonderful piano intro leads to a darker and heavier section which again is linked to some Emerson phantasmagoria. The heavy sounds also have to be noticed.

The only minor point if I may, would be that the whole of this work might sound borrowed and too much uniform. This is what costs the fifth star to this very pleasant album who should please all the symphonic music lovers (and not only from the Italian branch since it is mostly instrumental).