The Italian Prog Appreciation den

Well said my friend.....you use the sound that you need to use as an artist to express yourself.....if people call that retro, so be it.

Chris nails this review (and bio if you want to read more)....this band didn't grab me at first when we were evaluating....but they are growing on me big time.  Way to call it, Chris, kudos

La Coscienza di Zeno
La Coscienza di Zeno Rock Progressivo Italiano

Review by seventhsojourn
Special Collaborator RPI Team

La Coscienza di Zeno (CDZ) is a contemporary RPI band that recently completed its first album for Mellow Records. They began recording in May 2010 and when they emerged from the studio in November they must surely have believed their musical vision had materialised. After listening to the sample songs on the band's official site I couldn't wait to get my hands on the album. It's probably worth saying straight from the off that their music is not instantaneous. I wasn't exactly bowled over at first by the seemingly less-than- adventurous music, but then some of the best progressive music suffers from the very same perceived deficiency. And sure enough this album's initially vague landscape slowly came into perspective with repeated plays, like clouds of mist drifting away to leave a clear summer's day.

CDZ are undoubtedly influenced by the golden generation of Italian progressive bands but this isn't the only circumstance that guarantees my enjoyment of the album. My understanding is that CDZ write discerning lyrics in order to create a distinct style; each song is apparently linked to visual images and sensations in an attempt to whelm the listener's imagination. While this high ambition is somewhat lost on a non-Italian speaker, I can still appreciate a vivid sense of grandeur in the texts. Lyricist Stefano Agnini, in addition to providing all the words, was involved in composing the music on all but two tracks here. Apparently he is no longer a full-time member of CDZ but will continue to write lyrics for the band's songs; hopefully they will continue to come up with equally good material in the future despite Stefano's departure. However if the only track he didn't have a hand in writing, 'Un insolito baratto alchemico', is anything to go by then there's no need for concern.

The intricate compositions are highly articulated and there's an effective conflict between the band's soft and hard sides; melodies are elegant and full of lustre while riffs are robust and, at times, sinister-sounding. All in all it makes for a balanced, well-proportioned mix of styles and CDZ certainly seem to have brought their A-game with them. They demonstrate their seventies-inspired RPI passion on 'Cronovisione' which basks in some eerie synthesizer parts that in a curious way remind me of a track on the first Alphataurus album, although it also features some wonderfully spacey guitar and later has a slightly Arabic feel. There's also plenty of that Italian eclecticism thanks to the energetic leanness of the synth- work on 'Gatto Lupesco', the spirited wanderings of the multi-part 'Nei cerchi del legno', and the discordant 'Un Insolito Baratto Alchemico' with its dialogue of flute and fuzzed guitar. But I really don't need to describe every track in detail because devotees of traditional Italian symphonic prog should just plunge straight into the album.

The RPI subgenre shows no sign of diminution with the recent and imminent additions of some very exciting bands, and with the release of this album CDZ has produced what I think will be one of the dominant works of the year.

^Thank you Jim

Edited by Guldbamsen - July 16 2011 at 02:26

Finnforest wrote: I remember checking with one of the band members back then Presdoug, and he didn't know anything.  I've been watching for information on it to arise, but have seen nothing yet.  Todd, Andrea, anyone.....have you guys ever heard any news about a reissue on this?

Thanks for your reply, i wonder who has the rights to the recording, they are so un-Motown, am also curious about a cd re-issue of the English version of the debut album, which is wonderful as well

I'm a n00b to this sh*t. I know of Jacula, only because of that song that has a death metal-sounding guitar in it.

whats some good stuff? and I mean stuff that guy into noise and sh*t like the Residents would be into.

 i did a post about this a long time ago, maybe over a year ago, and am still wondering about-is it possible that Libra's second, long forgotten gem of an album "Winter Day's NIghtmare", originally released only in the US and Canada (on Motown!), will be put on cd?

Todd wrote: Hey North American Italian Prog fans, save these dates!  We finally have a great Italian festival here!     Greg Walker has been organizing ProgFest 2011, and things are firm enough that we can announce them here!   November 11-13 Venue will probably be Dupont Theater in Wilmington, Delaware, USA. (Details yet to come.) Cost approximately $100-300   Look at the lineup of the bands that have already confirmed:   ALPHATAURUS LOCANDA DELLE FATE ARTI E MESTIERI MAXOPHONE ATOLL (Tertio lineup) SHYLOCK PULSAR WOBBLER SBB   And there are three other major bands (one Italian) who really want to play and are firming up some things before committing.   More details will be forthcoming, he wanted to get the word out.   This is an event not to be missed!  Let's support these guys!!

Todd wrote: Yeah, they're good too!    I suppose you could include Banco in the keyboard driven bands, since they had two keyboardists.  If you count them, they're number one.   (By the way presdoug, speaking of great keyboard driven bands, your avatar bears a striking resemblance to Triumvirat's Jurgen Fritz . . . )

You're pretty close, it is former Triumvirat guitarist/vocalist the late Helmut Koellen, who happened to also be Jurgen Fritz's cousin 

Edited by presdoug - July 11 2011 at 20:24

Todd wrote: dreadpirateroberts wrote: ^ Oh damn, another to add to my list of albums to buy!   I've been saying that now for several years!  It's really amazing how deep the Italian Progressive scene was and is.  But what a wonderful, beautiful journey of discovery!   Triade is wonderful!  I think my favorite of the 70s keyboard based bands are Latte e Miele, Le Orme, and Metamorfosi, but Triade is certainly right up there in the top five or six.   Of the more current keyboard driven bands, check out Nuova Era.

Nuova Era, noted down! Thanks, Todd!

The Trip (Atlantide and Time of Change) also noted, thanks presdoug!

I think the biggest problem is deciding what to pay for when.   I have dozens on my current list (thanks to Jim too!) and have been struggling to decide which album to buy next. Do I expand my Banco albums, polish off Osanna, go to an artist I've never heard before? So many delicious choices!

Todd wrote: [QUOTE=dreadpirateroberts]^ Oh damn, another to add to my list of albums to buy!

[/QUOTE i also like the keyboard sound of The Trip (Atlantide and Time of Change)