CANOSSA "ROCK OPERA"

This is an Italian prog project by Mangala Vallis member Gigi Cavalli Cocchi, he is both the brainchild as the producer. The story (I did my best to translate the Italian because the English version was out of function) is about the small village Canossa in the Italian provence Reggio Emilia. An imiginary visitor of the Canossa Castle tells in the warm and passionate Italian language the more than 1000 year old history in 7 short interludes with spoken words, the other 7 parts are tracks by 7 different (mainly uknown) Italian progrock bands. After the first interlude with a Vangelis-like keyboard intro and the first spoken words, the known band Mangala Vallis starts with an alternating, classic Seventies prog rooted sound, from dreamy with twanging guitar to mid-tempo with fiery guitar and bombastic with lush Hamond and flashy synthesizer flights. The other six bands sound pleasant and varied: melodic and moving with female vocals and a strong final part including howling electric guitar runs by Trama Sonora, heavy symphonic, romantic inspired prog with warm vocals, lots of variety and in the end a sensational keyboard solo by Sequencer, a long piece with a tight beat, sumptuous keyboards and omnipresent, fiery electric guitar by Arcanoise, a heavy and dynamic sound with strong hints from early King Crimson delivering Fripperian guitar and a propulsive rhythm-section by Type, pleasant and alternating (dreamy, compelling, mid-tempo, bombastic) with passionate vocals and a spectacular synthesizer solo by Oltremare and finally Master Experience: a dynamic atmosphere featuring fiery guitar, a psychedelic organ sound and intense vocals. The final part delivers soli on organ and guitar.

I am sure this very pleasant and varied sounding project will please many prog fans, especially those who love the classic Seventies symphonic prog featuring lots of vintage keyboards like Hammond, Moog and Mellotron. Four stars because it's a wonderful project, I love this kind of music and it's an excellent addition for the symphonic prog aficionados, highly recommended!

This is a concept album to celebrate the 1,000 year birthday of the city of Canossa in Italy. It was put together by MANGALA VALLIS' drummer Gigi Cavalli Cocchi. He came up with the concept and also produced it.There are 14 tracks on this record, 7 of those are songs and each is preceded by a narration track in Italian accompanied with music explaining the song to follow. All the lyrics on this record are in Italian.There are seven songs that are seven different stories all associated with the Canossa castle. This project was 2 years in the making. And check out the cover art which is absolutely stunning ! I must admit I find the intro narration tracks a little distracting especially not knowing Italian, but the Italian language is so beautiful as is the music that accompanies it.

The first song up to bat is "Pietra Su Pietra" performed by MANGALA VALLIS, the only band here that I have a history with. I really like this band and have a couple of their records.This is such a haunting and beautiful song.The organ is great as are the acoustic guitar and mellotron. The vocals are also incredibly good. The song gets more aggressive later on as the drums pound away with the synths taking the spotlight. "La Regina" is performed by TRAMA SONORA. The vocals are done by a female who has such a beautiful voice. Acoustic guitar opens with synths and drums to follow.The sound becomes fuller 4 minutes in with organ and flute. A nice guitar solo that goes on and on. Nice. "Danja Di Matide" is performed by SEQUENCER a former GENESIS tribute band. The intro is heavier than anything we've heard in the first two songs. It turns mellow quickly with mellotron, acoustic guitar and male vocals. Flute and synths follow. It does become GENESIS-like 5 minutes in with lots of synths.

"Tre Giorni" is performed by ARCANOISE. The intro has these tender female vocals as a guitar melody plays along. It becomes more passionate 2 minutes in as it also speeds up. Great sound. It becomes very atmospheric towards the end with a cool vocal melody. "La Battaglia" is performed by TYPE. This is a change of pace and I love it ! The angular Frippian guitar melodies and powerful drums are great. Check out the guitar solo 3 minutes in. "Il Porta" is performed by OLTREMARE. Mellotron and keys open this song before guitar and drums crash the party. This song goes from intense to atmospheric without much flow at all until 6 minutes in to the end of the song. "Il Sho Richiamo" is performed by MASTER EXPERIENCE. This goes from metal sounding to GENESIS-like. From guitar solos to pulsating synths. The song ends with sound of swords clashing.

My favourite tracks are done by MANGALA VALLIS, TRAMA SONORA, TYPE and MASTER EXPERIENCE. Please do yourself a favour and buy this amazing record !