ALPHATAURUS

I often enjoy Italian prog records for a while before I get annoyed by the out of tune and hastily recording quality of most of these records. The 'Alphataurus' record is however one I want to keep. This band has a nice variety of symphonic prog ideas and both the opening track and 'La Mente Vola' (with its stunning opening section) are great melodic progressive rock tracks. Keyboardist Pietro Pellegrini takes center stage, though the vocals of the operatic Michele Bavaro and drum/bass rhythms have their fair share as well. The band has some eclectic influences; I guess some Van Der Graaf Generator and maybe some jazz-rock Canterbury music as well. Mostly this is however your typical over-enthusiastically performed Italian symphonic prog record full of beautiful ideas and a slightly unfinished feel. The three-fold artwork is among the best of my vinyl collection.