FIABA

PROCESSION's second and final album comes 2 years after the debut and with a lot of changes. The original drummer and bass player have left along with one of the lead guitarists. They replaced the bass player but not the second guitarist, instead they added a flute / sax player. A guest drummer Francesco from RACCOMANDATA RICEVUTA RUTORNO has been brought in. Some guest keyboards from Ettore from DELIRIUM. It's hard to believe this is the same band. Even Gianfranco's vocals are different as he holds them in check for the most part. A much more mature work for sure but they really sacrificed the passion from the debut. I still like this a lot but the debut is my favourite.

"Uomini Di Vento" opens with percussion, strummed guitar and bass. I like when the electric guitar joins in. Vocals follow.Some flute followed by sax as drums pound. The guitar is back 2 1/2 minutes in. Nice. Themes are repeated. "Un Mondo Sprecato" is darker sounding as guitar, drums and bass all play in a melancholic way. Reserved vocals and sax add to this mood. Gianfranco does gets passionate and the sound fuller. Nice guitar 2 minutes in. Gorgeous. Sax before 3 minutes. Sounds like floating organ 3 1/2 minutes in then the vocals return. Maybe it's string synths here. "C'era Una Volta" opens with atmosphere and gently strummed guitar. Sax and cymbals follow. Vocals before 3 minutes, the guitar follows. More sax then a calm 5 minutes in with birds and acoustic guitar. Very pastoral. Reserved vocals join in then we get guest female vocals around 7 minutes doing her "The Great Gig In The Sky" impersonation.

"Notturno" opens with some haunting atmosphere before acoustic guitar and flute come in. Lots of flute here. Very cool sounding intro. Vocals join in around 2 minutes. It picks up 4 minutes in with strummed guitar and synths. A beautiful passage follows. "Il Volo Della Paura" opens with acoustic guitar as fragile vocals and sax join in. It kicks in before 2 minutes. Some great vocals too around 2 1/2 minutes as he sings with passion. Electric guitar follows then it settles back to end it. "Fiaba" is a mellow tune with lots of flute early. Vocals and drums join in and we get some prominant bass too. The tempo picks up then it settles as contrasts continue.

While this album doesn't move or excite me like the debut does, I really enjoy it's atmosphere. A solid 4 stars.