IL BIS

These men are crazy but undoubtedly brilliant and original in many ways. "Il Bis" is the second studio album by this "Anti-Prog, Prog Band" (as they love to descrive themselves) and the The first thing that caught my attention immediately is the quality of writings, performance and production taken to a new level! They grew, free from any Prog Rock constraints and cliches' and IMHO, this is very good cos every songs in this album shows a constant and serious research in what we call "Neo-Prog". Don't be afraid!!!! You still have the chance to listen many beautiful instrumental changes and passages inspired by your RP favourites as GENESIS, YES, UK and KING CRIMSON but (against your likely skepticism) be prepared to be absolutely amazed (or hard tested) by Hardcore Punk, Avant-Jazz, Post-Rock, Hip Hop, Funk and Ambient stuff! The key to enjoy this recording (and the crazy artwork too) is to be absolutely open minded, there's no other way out.

The main core of the band is a trio of skilled musicians, probably you know some... CRISTIANO ROVERSI (Moongarden, Mangala Vallis, Bernardo Lanzetti, Submarine Silence and many others..) on Keys and Production , MATTEO BERTOLINI Basses, Guitars, Theremin and MIRCO RAVENOLDI On Vocals, Lead Guitar and Keys (Both appear in the second SUBMARINE SILENCE studio Release). They play everything, changing their roles and musical instruments song by song helped by a bunch of Special Guests here and there Also it seems that the original drummer ERSIKER ANAMAN is gone cos he appear as Special Huest only in one track. Anyway the new Drummer MATTIA SCOLFARO (Moongarden) performs very well in this absolutely not easy task

1. Violenza Gratuita

The album start with a cinematic intro, a collage of dialogues seemingly without any sense....

2. Il Buon Caffe

This is the first RP Fan Hard test i think, Imagine GORILLA BISQUITS or BLACK FLAG (Historic HC PUNK Bands from the states) playing a Punk Rock song with Mellotron and some techno drums in the end section....

3. Heavy Love

One Of the best number: This beautiful song reminds me of JEFF BUCKLEY's music that very rapidly chance in something very different between ALLAN HOLDSWORTH and GENESIS. The closing section is a Post Rock killer anthem with a bombastic bass sound. Both "Il Buon Caffè" and "Heavy Love" official videos are on YOU TUBE!

4. Ti Vengo a Prendere

They sing in English but the song titles are in italian language.....crazy men as i sayd. This is a beautiful ballad. The atmosphere could be recall some MARILLION HOGHART stuff. There's something of MICK KARN in the Fretless bass approach and the final section will take you in places that you surely will love with the beautiful guitar solo berween HOLDSWORTH and STEVE ROTHERY. RAVENOLDI's vocal range is truly remarkable.

5. Il Cavaliere Odia

An instrumental that remind me something of JOHN ZORN's NAKED CITY with plenty of Jazz and Fusion inserts. Here, the former drummer ERSIKER ANAMAN plays some really complex scores in a very "BRUFORDIAN" style. The MARCO REMONDINI (ECM Label) Sax Solo is something special!

6. 112

The band carry us in a more best known territories starting with a classic and rich symphonic prog to end up woth a YES oriented madrigal guided by beautiful 12 Strings guitars and a female Mellotron register.

7. Happiness

Space Rock and Post Rock united, a very powerfull triplet rythm ride with the usual tastefull guit Solo in it.

8. Gladio

A soft Interlude that reminds me PAT METHENY GROUP of geffen era with some preatty synth and guit solos, ethnic percussions and the singer in PEDRO AZNAR mode ON :)

9. Fakoya LTD.

Well, How can I explain you this one? It's an Hip Hop Old School track with a Rock Progressive odd-rhythm Refrain and Vocals Improvvisation close to DEMETRIO STRATOS (AREA) unique style. It's Enough?

10. A Tailor's Sale

If you're familiar with their first album, this is a classic "CdC" track with plenty of changes and moods, fusion drumming and a classic new prog crescendo that lead in a marvellous guitar acoustic and mellotron duo finale.

11. Prima Repubblica

in case you haven't yet enough of contaminations and musical genres, Ladies and gents, here's ROBERT FRIPP's Soundscapes time!

12. Mouth Shaped Universes

A melancholy closer song which frankly did not understand the lyrics but the music is something marvellous with rich keys supporting an inspired and passionate guit solo.....and the theremin played by MATTEO as a final precious frame!

What can i say at the end of the day? They are surely PROGRESSIVE