VIVO

After the release in 2015 of 'Skyline', the Italians returned the following year with a live double CD. The first of these features songs from the band's first three albums, 'Misteriose Voci' (2006), 'Rebus' (2009) and 'Coffee in Neukolln' (2012), plus a version of "Los Endos". The second contains six live versions from "Skyline" (2015) with a bonus studio song, "My Silent Sea", which was written and recorded in 2015 as a 'Skyline' follow-up. Unlike the two studio albums I have heard there aren't any additional guests, so no woodwind or strings, just five guys showing what they can do onstage (although as keyboard player Luca Zabbini does also play acoustic guitar they can provide different inflections at times).

I was amazed when I looked in ProgArchives, the bible and most important guide to progressive rock on the web, to discover that this album was yet to be reviewed! But, it has been rated thirty times, and is subsequently the fourth highest ranked live album of 2016. I do hope that this is a true reflection of how the guys are live in concert, and that there hasn't been too much work carried out in the studio, as this is awesome from start to finish. That these guys are masters at this musical form is never in doubt, nor is their ability to provide complex interweaving songs that keep the listener enthralled throughout. At times, there is an American style to what they are producing, but they temper it with good old-fashioned English neo-prog when the moment requires it. Given that they have also worked with some of the finest musicians in the Italian progressive scene, it is somewhat surprising that there aren't more influences from that genre within their music, but it is only occasional keyboard passages that allude to where they are from.

Complex, melodic, structured, progressive, brilliant. To say that I am a fan of this band is something of a massive understatement. I just can't wait to hear more of their music.

Italian band BAROCK PROJECT was formed back in 2003, and ever since they started to release their own music in 2005 they have grown in popularity and stature, to the point of being on the verge of becoming a household name in the genre these days. The have half a dozen albums to their name at this stage, of which five are studio albums. "Vivo: Live in Concert" is their sole live album so far, and was released through Italian label Artalia in 2016.

Live albums can often be a hit or a miss, depending on a number of factors. This one will be more likely to be a hit than many other I have listened to, as it documents the skills of a high quality modern day symphonic progressive rock band that are as good on stage as they are in the studio. And with a long studio track tucked in as a bonus feature, existing fans get a nice little boon for buying this album as well. A live production well worth investigating if well made, symphonic progressive rock is a style of music you tend to enjoy.