YS

When somebody mentions any Italian Progressive band from the 70's, the first image we make in our minds consists of strong musicianship, melodic Symphonic, probably some GENESIS or ELP influence, pastoral atmospheres and traditional vocals in their beautiful language...Well, except for the musicianship "Ys" by "Il Balletto di Bronzo" has very little in common with this stereotype.

Their sound is absolutely dissonant and aggressive, hardly any Symphonic characteristic and no GENESIS or ELP influence, most surely because "Il Balletto di Bronzo" released their first album ("Sirio 2222") in 1970 when both British Symphonic icons were in diapers, and what's even stranger, unlike any of the most complex Italian ensembles, we can't even find KING CRIMSON reminiscences, "Il Balletto di Bronzo" sounds exclusively as "Il Balletto di Bronzo".

Before I started writing this review, and because it's almost impossible to describe this insanity, I did something I rarely do....Checked some reviews, and it's absolutely mind blowing to find that some intelligent members describe this band as Symphonic

For God's sake, "Ys" is an incredibly complex fusion of Psychedelia a la Hendrix, Hard Rock, some Jazzy elements and the most original form of Progressive Rock that came out from Italy, it's so brutal, that each time I listen the whole album, I feel as if had finished a 10 round fight with the CMB heavyweight champion.

I won't even attempt the epic task of describing the album song by song, because it's almost an impossible, being that from the mermaid like chants on "Introduzione" until the last dissonant instant of insane vocals and breathtaking guitar - keyboard interplay break my schemes.

And that's only the tip of the iceberg, as the album advances it gets more schizophrenic and unexpected, even for a Prog listener who is used to the radical and abrupt changes plus unusual timing, this guys are a step ahead, the only thing you can expect is the unexpected.

But despite I'm a melodic Prog fan over all the other genres, I enjoyed "Ys" from start to end, if you want to take the risk, do it, it's rewarding, but please don't expect beautiful melodies as in PFM or almost lyrical passages as in BANCO DEL MUTUO SOCCORSO.......Even better expect nothing at all, the most unnatural sound you can imagine will be less surprising than this fantastic release.

My rating is 4 stars, maybe when I completely understand it I will add the extra star, but still and after several years, I'm trying to completely decipher this magnificent example of adventurous Progressive Rock.