SCOGLI DI SABBIA

In 2001 Germinale released their third work on Mellow Records, ''Cielo & Terra'', that saw them offering a more Art Rock and less Italian Prog-oriented album, which dissapointed the fans worldwide.After some performances on compilation and tribute albums, Germinale released independently the album ''Scogli di sabbia'' in 2005, that worked more or less as a sum of their long and interesting career.

The first four tracks were all previously unreleased, featuring new female singer Sara Nannipieri, new drummer Mario Cuffaro and also a new bassist, Sebastiano Sacchetti.These tracks propably belong among the best of Germinale's repertoire.It's excellent modern Italian Prog, much more dynamic than most of the official ones, with a sound similar to compatriots CONQUEROR and several influences from the 70's tradition of the country.The musicianship is very rich yet melodious with light jazzy influences among the more melodic/symphonic passages, featuring excellent interplays between keyboards, piano and flutes and some awesome guitar lines.The nice and atmospheric vocals of Sara Nannipieri just strengthen the CONQUEROR comparisons.The style ranges from vintage-flavored Italian Prog with powerful breaks to atmospheric Progressive Rock with some nice synthesizer and deep bass work, really excellent stuff.

The next four pieces in line are three Genesis/Jethro Tull/King Crimson covers along with a track appearing in the ''Kalevala'' multi-band album a couple of years earlier, all of them though were previously released on tribute albums of the past.All covers are nicely executed with great respect to the original structures, decent English vocals and some good technique compared to the masters, especially ''Wond'ring Aloud'' from Jethro Tull really shines through.The ''Kalevala'' piece, ''La Battaglia per il Sampo'' is very close to mid-70's P.F.M., having strong symphonic, Fusion and Folk inspirations, led by its electroacoustic sound and the dominant flute parts, thus creating a sinister yet charming atmosphere.

The remaining seven pieces are all captured live, coming from the three previous official releases of the band.Even the ''Cielo & Terra'' tracks sound great here and the overall style ranges from rhythmic KING CRIMSON-esque Progressive Rock to smooth Classic Italian Prog with romantic vocals and sensitive musicianship.These pieces scan the whole Germinale history and are good examples of the band's development over the years.More detailed, the Prog fan will meet here compositions with mellow piano parts, light guitar moves and lyrical moments to more instrumental-inclined textures with a complex power and dark, groovy parts.

''Scogli di sabbia'' worked as a farewell album for Germinale, as the same year the band was put on ice, following an official site announcement.This is a very good compilation album and propably the place to start if you don't own any of the band's previous releases.Strongly recommended...3.5 stars.