SOPHYA BACCINI'S ARADIA: RUNNIN' WITH THE WOLVES

The Italian prog artist Sophya Baccini is indeed an interesting case. Before her solo career she was in a prog metal band Presence and guested on albums by Osanna and Delirium among others. Her bilingual debut Aradia (2009) was classically influenced, dramatic prog full of mysterious atmospheres and many-sided arrangements, all crowned by her beautiful voice. It was followed by the William Blake inspired album Big Red Dragon (2013) that featured legendary guests such as Sonja Kristina (Curved Air), Christian Decamps (Ange) and Lino Vairetti (Osanna). It took ten years to get to the third album, but it was worth the wait.

The group named after the debut album consists of female musicians only. Technically it's of course quite irrelevant, except for the wonderful vocal harmonies gracing the album in many places. The regular rock instrumentation is extended to feature also violin and alto saxophone, and the piano, played by both Sophya herself and Marilena Striano, is essential in the sound. All pieces are written by Sophya and co-arranged with the whole band.

I invented this combination to give an idea of the music: Kate Bush (from The Kick Inside to Never For Ever) + Van Der Graaf Generator + Curved Air + classic RPI bands with a violin, such as Quella Vecchia Locanda or PFM, + an operatic, Gothic-flavoured intensity. There's a breath-taking feminine energy, both witch- like and sensual, that justifies the Kate Bush association. And yes, the playing sometimes has a VDGG-like magic.

The title track is fascinating with its repeated drum fills in the beginning, the wailing violin, the layered vocals and the sense of drama slightly resembling Toyah. 'La Mia Soluzione' is also pretty intense, filled with a vintage RPI feel and some VDGG edge. Wow! The relatively slow-tempo and yet highly dramatic 'Ordalia' is mostly sung in English and contains beautiful sonic details.

The shortest and most melodic piece 'Never' is charmingly dreamy, and the piano reminds me of Kate Bush. The 9-minute epic 'Continua' is another winner (on this gorgeous album with no weak monents at all) and gives a lot of room for soprano sax. But the cherry on the top are the seductive vocals and vocal harmonies. 'Gargantua' has marvelous melodies. The closing track 'Sleepin' With the Lioness' is the calmest of the set.

I am fascinated by this album. The production is crystal clear, so you can just sit back and let the music take you into an exciting journey for 40 minutes.

Sophya Baccini is no novice. On the contrary, the Italian singer/pianist has been active in the progressive rock field since 1990. Her resume includes numerous collaborations and guest contributions, both on stage and in the studio. She was also the frontwoman for the metal band Presence for many years, with whom she released six albums. In 2009, her debut solo album, "Aradia", was released. Subsequently, she formed an all-female band and named the group after her first solo album. Sophya Baccini's Aradia was born, and in 2013, the next album, "Big Red Dragon", was released, featuring contributions from Christian Decamps (Ange), Roberto Tiranti (Mangala Vallis), and Sonja Kristina (Curved Air). Fast forward ten years, and a brand-new album, "Runnin' With The Wolves", is released, with her band almost entirely renewed. The album cover alone intrigues with six gothic-like ladies and a white wolf.

There is a significant duality to this new album. First, there is the underlying layer of bass guitar, drums, and various other instruments, giving the music a dark, mysterious character. In the case of the violin, it adds a touch of melancholy and sinister vibes. The same violin resonates in the upper layer of the music, where it contributes to the frivolity.

However, the most distinctive element is Baccini's input. With her clear voice, reminiscent of artists like Kate Bush, she, combined with her sparkling piano playing, infuses a lot of light into the music. Additionally, there are elements such as sharp guitar riffs, punctuated saxophone themes, and fresh keyboard playing that contribute to the somewhat whimsical atmosphere. The result of this musical fusion is a dark progressive kind of Cirque Du Soleil music that deserves careful listening. "Runnin' With The Wolves" is meticulously crafted with care, love, and taste.

Although the album is relatively short, just under 40 minutes, each of the seven songs is of high quality. The first three perfectly illustrate what was described above. Particularly strong is the Italian-sung La Mia Soluzione, where, after the rhythmic vocal line, you can almost see the wolves running through the snowy landscape. The violin and guitar create beautiful moments, the vocal harmonies set the mood, and the drum breaks at the end radiate the exact class that makes this album so good.

After these three tracks, the group continuously elevates the concept of beauty to heavenly proportions. Take the ballad Never and let yourself be enchanted by its beauty. It's unprecedented how forcefully everything comes together. Following Never is the epic Continua. Here, we can speak of boundary-crossing behavior in a positive sense. Every note in this composition is placed with such refinement that you might find yourself pinching your arm. What a surreal piece of art rock, and the saxophone has a fantastic tone. Gargantua also has a passage to rave about, with delightful unison playing and a wailing guitar. Aradian class. It's almost inevitable that this intense album concludes with a reflective track like Sleepin' With The Lyoness. It's an honor to get so close to her feelings.

Sophya Baccini and the ladies of Aradia have succeeded in creating something legendary with this second album. Let yourself be captivated, I would say. It's not difficult; it happens naturally.

Orginally posted on www.progenrock.com