L'ELIOGABALO

A Sicilian author, actor and composer, Emilio Locurcio had a mediocre career in the movies field, but he became more known for composing this concept vocal-based Prog album in 1977, speaking about a Roman emperor of the second century and based on Antonin Artaud's eponymous work.Locurcio is supported by a cast of famous singers in this work such as Lucio Dalla, Claudio Lolli, Rosalino Cellamare and Teresa De Sio, while the music is performed by Crash and Pierrot Lunaire along with several guest musicians.''L'eliogabalo'' features the long subtitle ''Operetta Pop A Più Usi: Come Manuale Di Ingenua Rivolta, Come Biglietto D'Andata Per Nessunluogo'' and it was released on Una Sors Coniunxit.

Actually ''L'eliogabalo'' is the closest thing you will ever hear to the classic I GIGANTI work ''Terra in bocca (Poesia di un delitto)'' with extreme similarities between the vocal and instrumental parts.The album is highlighted by its two longs epics ''La Veglia'' and ''Il Viaggio'' with both compositions having a really artistic approach on rock music.Both are also heavily vocal-based with theatrical moments, extreme singing and soft narrations, but they also contain excellent instrumental themes, featuring soft acoustic textures with a folky vibe, plenty of smooth organ and Mellotron parts as well as more intense electric moments with decent interplays and the guitars on the forefront, close to the fundamentals of Classic Italian Prog.The 8-min. "La Visione" though maybe the proggier composition of all, not because of his complexity but mainly because of the huge amount of styles blended.From the opening folky/symphonic combination of synths and flutes to the dramatic vocal-Prog with Locurcio's voice leading the way and from the extreme horn sections to the Cabaret Music and the light, almost OLDFIELD-ian ending section.The closing ''L'Attesa'' is a powerful piece of music with nervous synths, Hard/Psychedelic Rock vibes in the guitar hooks, background organs and very expressive, raw female vocals, another cut of good quality.

Locurcio's career as an actor fell into obscurity but his only effort as a composer will leave any fan of Classic Italian Prog satisfied.Moreover, things are simple: If you love I GIGANTI, ''L'eliogabalo'' should have a special place in your collection.Warmly recommended.