YS

A pattern emerges in my mind. It seems the greatest European prog bands are always the most mysterious. Take a look at the German progressive scene of the 70s? The greatest band around at that time was Can, without a doubt. Can were conceived under strange circumstances; with a vocalist who could speak in a prehistoric language, and the musicians themselves being largely of the classical variety, playing music they were unfamiliar with. And over in Italy, we had the great Il Balletto Di Bronzo. All you have to do is listen to a section of this great album to realise that this is the work of the devil. And I mean that in an entirely good way. Ys is the most terrifying, dark, haunting album you will ever hear. The distressing Italian lead vocals, the creepy and haunting backing vocals and the just plain terrifying spinet playing by Gianni Leone throughout are what make the music rivetingly, monumentally fascinating. And yet, Il Balletto Di Bronzo barely made a name for themselves; it's almost as if they sold their souls to the devil just so they could create this one great masterpiece. If I were to attempt to describe it, I would compare it to Emerson, Lake & Palmer's darker moments (think Toccata) and the darkest prog matter of King Crimson and Van Der Graaf Generator. Add in some insanely distorted, weird guitar sounds and a trapped soul of a singer, perhaps buried from the waist down in molten lava, playing a spinet (form of harpsichord) and you are listening to Il Balletto Di Bronzo. Just don't listen late at night.

Actually, do just that.