L'ULTIMO VIAGGIO

This album is significant at least because it was released in 1988, a year that can be considered the starting year for the second coming of Italian prog. Only a few other albums came out in this particular year and among these were the albums by Ezra Winston and Aton's. This debut by Nuova Era is actually the last one I heard from this group because I had the impression that this was supposed to be their worst. After hearing it I was surprised because I really can't say that this is the case. There are already all the elements that the follow-up albums have and in some ways I feel that this might be at least my sentimental favourite release from this group. This is mostly because the band sounds so fresh in this debut. If there was a thing to criticize this group it is the fact that all their albums sound very samey, even the last album Il Passo del Soldato without electric guitar is actually similar to the earlier albums.

The music is of high level already in this debut. The trademark of the group, composer Walter Pini's keyboards, are a little more highlighted than the rest of the instruments. There are not really any standout tracks, like there are not in their other albums either, but there are not any weak moments either. The cd version includes a bonus track "Senza Parlare". This track is actually very good but it is ruined with an awful sound quality.

Conclusion: An excellent debut!