YS

Il Balletto Di Bronzo- Ys... oh jesus where to start on reviewing this album. Let me start with some personal thoughts on the album before I touch on the album itself. I've used this analogy in the forums so this is a good place for it. Surely you prog fans have that particular album that upon the first listen was the physical equivalent of taking a 2x4 to the jaw. This album was that to me. So far I have reviewed mainly albums that were favorites since I was a young pup. This one I have had less than a year, being a very late comer to the world of prog outside of the english speaking sphere of prog. I have recommended this album to many people who like me were unaware of the serious serious quality of Italian progressive rock, and have left many people muttering... oh my god. If by chance you haven't heard this album do yourself a favor and get this album. I'll stake what is left of my good name, now that I have mentioned that I have seen the New Kids on the Block in concert hahahah, that you will appreciate the shear terror and darkness that this album's music represents when the language differences cannot.

Now to the album. This album is a keyboardists dream. Fabulous organ, mellotron, and accoustic piano abound. For those who like some heavy guitar work.. have a seat at the table.. heavier than some of those poseurs parading around in leather with styled hair were. As far as the lyrical nature of the album. Andrea has posted a translation of the lyrics in the forums. Interesting tale about meeting 3 faces of death on a journey or something like that hahahha. Can't say much for the lyrics but Gianni Leone in addition to his stellar keyboard work has a great voice.

Ys kicks off with the masterpiece of Introduzione. The highlight .. the incredible (for lack of a better word) use of heightening tension during the frenzied guitar and organ duel with the ...orgasmic release into an out of this world mellotron section, I feel like firing up a Winston everytime I hear it. Amoung my top 5 prog muscial 'moment's of alltime. It's that intense everyone.

Next up are the 3 encounters with death... the primo, secondo, and terzo incontros. The Primo is a reprise of the ending of introduzioine and is available as a sample here. The Secondo incontro has some really sweet mellotron underneath the main vocal sections and seques right into the bass intro to the terzo incontro which is my favorite of the three. A great walking bass line with brutal machine gun burst of the organ following by a guitar solo that to rolls right out of the left channel. Today's guitar soloist's could learn a thing or two from how to make a guitar solo.....sound. A dirty and nasty sounding guitar tone pervades this album. I've often thought that this album recorded today would not have the same sound or effect. It's a nasty brutish subject and the sound matches it.. no overproducing on this. Finally we end with Epilogo. More of the same great singing by Leone, great organ work, and unlike some I love the exteneded outro to the song... and the original album. Very atmospheric.

The CD release does a a bonus track, La Tua casa comoda, which was recorded after the album was released. It has nothing in commen with the album musically or lyrically but in a way... it was nice to have a reprise from taking 2x4's to jaw.

In summation. If you do not like albums that are heavily keyboard orientated, stay away from this one. If you do, and like being musically bludgeoned for 40 minutes, you will love this album almost as much as I do. As far as rating it... for me.. the best prog album I've heard in a very long time. I haven't been 'grabbed' by a prog album like this since I was a kid sitting in front of my parents 8-track player, and led directly to me being an Italian prog fanatic. 5 stars both personally and a complete masterpiece of progressive rock. It may not be everyone's cup of tea but an album of this caliber is deserving of at least a chance and a listen.

Micky