LUNGO IL SENTIERO DI PIETRA

SITHONIA belong to the small group of bands,like Ezra Winston and Nuova Era,who participated in the late-80's rebirth of Italian progressive rock.The band was found by keyboardist Paolo Nanetti in 1986 and was named after his vacation near an eponymous peninsula in Greece around the same time.He recruited members through friends and paper ads and in 1989 SITHONIA's debut ''Lungo il sentiero di pietra'' sees the light.Sounding like a less intense NUOVA ERA version and close to IL CASTELLO DI ATLANTE's style,SITHONIA's debut is very nice work reminiscent to the likes of the 70's Italian bands with the appropriate doses of the modern sound.The romantic moments of the album resemble to BANCO DEL MUTUO SOCCORSO,the fantastic keyboard/synth work reminds me of GENESIS' Tony Banks,the smooth guitars and flute parts is a nice example of PREMIATA FORNERIA MARCONI-like prog rock,while the vocal lines are sensitive and warm,much in the vein of the Italian traditional bands.Fans of Italian progressive rock (and not only them) should hurry and get this album.Absolutely great,romantic and emotional progressive rock!