ALPHATAURUS

One reviewer of 'Alphataurus' asks if we're tired of Italian prog classics. === Never! Next to England, Italy has more than its share of classic prog bands/albums. Alphataurus' 1973 debut is definitely one of them.

This album has all the hallmarks of this country's captivating prog sound: brooding moments of relative calm, exploding climactic peaks, dramatic and theatrical vocal performances, clever rhythmic arrangements, heavy guitars and vast keyboard sounds. This describes many a pasta-prog classic: Museo Rosenbach, Il Balletto Di Bronzo, Banco Del Mutuo Soccorso, P.F.M., Semiramis, Biglietto Per L'inferno, Jumbo. But Alphataurus manages their own niche within this impressive grouping, in large part thanks to Michele Bavaro's vocal variation. He runs the dynamic spectrum, sometimes hitting aggressive areas, reminding of Jumbo's guttural Alvaro Fella. He's never quite that in-your-face, but the emotion comes across well enough. Bavaro seems to draw from the heavy rock approach more than the usual operatic roots of many of his countrymen. This also lends the music a heavier edge. Pietro Pellegrini's keyboard work is equally versatile, helping give something like "Croma" a soundtrack-ish edge.

The songs take several listens to sink in, but they soon reveal themselves as adventurous, memorable, monumental constructs. Especially impressive are the final two tracks, "La Mente Vola" and "Ombra Muta", which almost outdo the slightly longer "Peccato D'Orgoglio" in terms of dynamic variety and attention-grabbing instrumentation. The first few moments of "La Mente Vola" might be the best on the album: absolute cosmic nirvana! There certainly isn't a dull moment here at all. A must-listen if the heavy early/mid '70s Italian prog has infected you, standing proudly next to many other Italian works of prog art.