DRAMMA DI UN POETA UBRIACO

Italian four piece formation Pandora is rooted in 2005 and inspired by Genesis, Yes, PFM, New Trolls and Dream Theater. After a serie of concerts in early 2008, Pandora got a record deal with the known Italian label Btf. (specialized in progressive rock). Between 2008 and 2014 Pandora have released four studio albums. This review is about their excellent debut album entitled Dramma Di Un Poeta Ubriaco.

Remarkable, the latest review of Pandora their debut album is almost ten years ago, so time for renewed attention in this section. On Dramma Di Un Poeta Ubriaco the band is scouting the borders between Classic Italian Prog, symphonic rock, Heavy Prog and prog metal, in a very exciting way. We can enjoy lots of bombastic and compelling atmospheres, loaded with heavy guitarplay, sensational keyboardwork (3 members play on keyboards!) and thunderous drumming, like in:

Il Giudizio Universale : exciting break, great wah-wah guitar sound and passionate Italian vocals,

the instrumental March To Hell : swirling Hammond organ solo, fat Minimoog flights and obvious Dream Theater elements,

Pandora : the sparkling piano is wonderfully blended in the heavy sound

and the titletrack : beautiful Grand piano intro and a splendid grand finale with awesome keyboard work and a very moving guitar solo, goose bumps.

In other songs Pandora also deliver great build-ups.

Così Come Sei : from dreamy with soaring keyboards and acoustic guitar to compelling with a strong electric guitar/synthesizer duet and bombastic with furious drum work and heavy guitar.

Breve Storia di San George (mellow climate): wonderful blend of acoustic guitar, flute-Mellotron, warm Italian vocals, classical orchestrations, delicate harpsichord runs and a pleasant flute solo in the end.

The most elaborate composition is the final track entitled Salto Nel Buio (close to 14 minutes), it sounds very varied and contains lots of captivating, very flowing shifting moods and surprising musical ideas. From a short interlude with acoustic guitar and choir-Mellotron to a piece with prog metal overtones and a jazzy vibraphone solo. The final part is very exciting featuring fat synthesizer runs and propulsive drum beats, slowly fading away, I am in Progheaven!

My conclusion: highly recommended, to me this debut CD sounds as one of the best Italian prog in the last two decades!

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