THE MAGUS

Universal Totem Orchestra is an Italian progressive rock band. The band was founded in 1997 and is connected to their compatriots Runaway Totem not only by their name, but also by the fact that the drummer Uto Giorgio Golin and the bassist Dauno Giuseppe Buttiglione were members of that band too. They were joined by vocalist Ana Torres Fraile, who also collaborated with Runaway Totem, and a large group of guest musicians. Like Runaway Totem, Universal Totem Orchestra have their roots in a rather guitar heavy version of Zeuhl. But, on Universal Totem Orchestra they mix this with a gamut influences ranging from the symphonic prog rock to world music, jazz, fusion, classical and beyond.

Universal Totem Orchestra released three studio albums until now, "Rituale Alieno" in 1999, "The Magus" in 2008 and "Mathematical Mother" in 2016. "Rituale Alieno" was a very successful album both in Italy and in the worldwide progressive scene. "The Magus" was very welcomed by the critics, to the point of receiving the "Darwin Prize for Italian unconventional music". With "Mathematical Mother", the band maintains the quality, peculiarity and their musical path.

So, "The Magus" is the second studio album of Universal Totem Orchestra that was released in 2008. The line up on the album is Ana Torres Fraile (vocals), Daniele Valle (guitar), Fabrizio Mattuzzi (keyboards and electric piano), Antonio Fedeli (saxophone), Yanik Lorenzo Andreatta (bass) and Uto Giorgio Golin (drums and percussion). "The Magus" has also the participation of an amount of male singers, more properly six, as guest artists. As is usual, on "The Magus" the band combines a number of styles under the Zeuhl umbrella, such as jazz, classical, symphonic, opera and metal. Strange ritual chants, under laid by electronic sound waves, greet you right at the beginning, before one of these typical Magma-esque choral chants begins. Probably the most unique attribute of this band are the vocals performed by Ana Torres Fraile and various male performers. Ana Torres Fraile and Francesco Festi with their strong soprano vpice give each other changeable singing duels. You will hear choirs, operatic (tenor and soprano) and traditional vocals all done very well. There's so much happening instrumentally that the listener needs to pay attention. These musicians know how to play and a tremendous amount of work has gone into this piece.

"De Astrologia" is a wild roller coaster ride through confused stylistic worlds. It really sets the tempo and vibe of the all album. There's a marching rhythm underlying much of the song allowing us to use our imagination as to what the song is all about. There's just a lot happening musically. It really is something that you need to hear for yourself, and I can say that for the entire album. "Coerenza Della Percentuali" is a great track the features some cool female opera vocals from Fraile. It features a nice aggressive sound as the guitar and piano are played at a fast pace. This is severely a very complex and dissonant track, gruesomely concentrated and seriously compulsive, demanding great effort from the listener in trying to follow the path. "Les Plantes Magiques" is one of the shorter songs on the album. It offers some of the best choir passages. The piano intones lyrical melodies and the sax weeps. Here the guitarist can also show his successful solo skills. This is the most delicate song on the album, although the song does have some passionate moments especially in the vocals and drumming. "Ato Piradime" is a colossal track that reverts to the brooding jazz but with a softer touch. The sax provides the melody in "Ato Piradime" with a very nice playing throughout. The electric piano, sax and the voice of Fraile gradually intertwine creating some wonderfully listenable moments. "Mors, Ultima Linea Rerum" has a quirky woodwinds opening with pulsating sounds. It's very intense where the piano is prominent with a great guitar work from the middle to the end. This is a track with contrasting moods and styles demanding the most effort and understanding. "Vento Madre" is a great closing track. It's the fourth long piece on the album with more than 10 minutes. It has a great sound and opens with female and male vocals as a solid Zeuhl soundscapes of drums, bass and guitar supports them. It has all the elements that make Universal Totem Orchestra so original and appealing.

Conclusion: Universal Totem Orchestra is seriously one of the best and most unique bands in the panorama of the new prog I have heard in a long time. They must be commended for making an album of such magnitude and scope in the same line and with the same high quality of their debut. While this will not appeal to everyone, I found this to be a fascinating and enjoyable listen. There's no denying the musicianship and the sheer uniqueness that this band displays on "The Magus". If you enjoy sub-genres of prog like Zeuhl, avant-garde, jazz-fusion or complex music, then look no further. With Universal Totem Orchestra you are in the right place. I would even say the uninitiated open- minded music lovers would need to seek this album out. Besides, the packaging is also right. The album comes as an elegant folding digipak, matching black and gold, with an extensive booklet. It's highly recommended for all who have an open mind.

Prog is my Ferrari. Jem Godfrey (Frost*)

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