IL FANTASTICO VIAGGIO DEL "BAGAROZZO" MARK

For many Goblin fans, this one falls through the cracks and many never run across it. Like Roller, it is one of their rare non-soundtrack albums. This time it is a concept album based on the life of Mark, a beetle who trundles through life, an allegory for heroin addicts of that era in Italy-1978? ( 'Bagorozzo translates to roughly worthless person in slang.) The music is excellent throughout, and the album finishes with what is perhaps one of their strongest pieces in their catalog, E Suono Rock. For those who only have heard Suspiria and Profondo Rosso, there's nothing here that is too drastically different, but the addition of Massimo Morante's vocals can be a sticking point for some who are used to the all instrumental output of the band. Overall, this album is very strong from front to back, and is woefully undernoticed by Goblin fans. While it is not as overtly creepy as some of their soundtrack work, and can be downright cheery at times, My best way of describing Goblin to the uninitiated is 'a possessed Mike Oldfield'. It is recommended for prog fans of all stripes. four stars (Goblin is currently touring America winter 2024 so check local venues)