BANCO DEL MUTUO SOCCORSO

4.5 stars. This debut from BANCO is maybe not as polished or complex as "Darwin !" yet it is a must for RPI fans.

"In Volo" is haunting to begin with until spoken words come in with flute. This contrast continues. "R.I.P. (Requiescant In Pace)" is uptempo right out of the gate. Vocals join in quickly, and they are amazing as usual. It gets jazzy 1 1/2 minutes in. Excellent piano after 2 minutes. Vocals are back before 3 1/2 minutes. A calm before 4 minutes as piano plays on. Great sound when drums and vocals join in. The most emotional part of the record is 6 minutes in. An uptempo melody ends it. "Passaggio" opens with the sound of someone walking along, then he sits down and starts to play the harsichord and sing. He then stops, gets up and walks away. Cool.

"Metamorfosi" opens with pounding drums and guitar.This rocks ! Piano joins in. Great sound. It then calms down as organ comes in powerfully. Piano then takes over. So beautifully played. Drums and a full sound before 3 minutes. Organ is back 4 minutes in. The guitar and organ trade solos and check out the drumming ! It settles down again before some passionate guitar and drumming come in around 8 1/2 minutes. Vocals follow. Nice. Piano and organ create some magic as the drums pound. Some filthy organ joins in as well.

"Il Giardino Del Mago" opens with a dark mood. Drums and organ join in briefly and then vocal melodies. Guitar, organ and drums lead the way 2 1/2 minutes in. It stops as that dark mood returns with piano and vocals quietly playing. It's 5 1/2 minutes in when the tempo picks up with vocals. This is such a great melody that stops 7 1/2 minutes in as it gets dark again with piano. Vocals return 10 minutes in. It's uptempo again before 11 1/2 minutes. Amazing sound. A calm 13 minutes in. It's sinister sounding 16 minutes in.The tempo picks up again to end it. "Traccia" opens with some incredible piano as drums join in then vocal melodies. A fuller and faster melody 1 1/2 minutes in.

The Nocenzi brothers on the dual keyboards are the stars of this album. "Metamorfosi" is my favourite track.