PLANET ZERO

ART is a modern neo-prog band from the city of Bologna, Italy although a first glance of the album cover art will make you think it's more in the world of post-rock. This band started as the passion of keyboardist Enrico Lorenzini who formed the band in 2012 and spent a few years writing and crafting the band's first album PLANET ZERO which was released on the Slapstick Records label in 2016. Like practically all neo-prog albums, PLANET ZERO features a concept which narrates the story of a blind alien who uses advanced technology to study the life forms and inhabitants of a place that's called PLANET ZERO. The album features nine tracks that run just over 45 minutes of playing time.

Pretty much following the 20th century trend of adding a bit of progressive metal to its neo-prog sound, ART evokes a strong connection to modern IQ, Arena and Pendragon although delivers a bit more of a laid back approach much of the time with sensual piano runs and rather mopey vocals. The opening "Blind Man" takes a good while to warm up with a lengthy instrumental opening that shifts between heavier rock and more chilled space rock before launching the storyline of the alien goings-on. While clearly in neo-prog much of the time with the usual synth-layered atmospheres and Hackett inspired guitar sweeps, ART also adds some interesting electronica and varying keyboard approaches that at times sounds a bit like a theremin.

Unlike the majority of Italian prog bands, ART uses the English language. "Four Colors" opens with a piano run and remains a slow mopey ballad however delivers a sizzling guitar solo. "Perfect Time" shifts gears and almost sounds like synth-pop with tinny fast stabbing keys grinding away while guitar chords add a bit of power pop. Even the vocals sounds more like New Order than a prog band!n "No Butterflies" follows in a super mellow mode with another power pop sounding ballad. The title track finally adds some sizzle with catchy keyboard riffs and guitar riffs to match. While still sort of on the New Order meets symphonic prog kick, the track is a bit more interesting with a better mix of instrumentation and pop hooks.

"Insomnia" is one of the better tracks on the album with a beefy bass groove ushering in a few keyboard stabs before morphing into a cleaner jazzy sounding neo-prog style that offers a great guitar riff, excellent atmospheric backdrop and percussive heft. This one debuts a bit more metal djent-ish guitar chord stomps and faster tempo overall. The track shifts gears into a tender acoustic guitar moment with fragile vocals with a Pink Floydian darkened atmospheric backdrop but drifts into a more traditional neo-prog sound before fading out. "Yellow Leaves" is another semi-ballad with a slow tender tempo and earnest lyrics but once again delivers an energetic guitar solo. "Scarecrow" is another interesting track that mixes the band's New Order style with more moments of heavier rock bombast. The short "Nothing Else" ends with a beautifully orchestrated piano ballad.

Overall ART's debut is an interesting if uneven slice of neo-prog that adds other prog and new wave elements to its mix. The flow of the album feels stilted with too many ballads clogging up the middle and personally i don't really find the album exciting until the second half but the band delivered a distinct sound that lovers of the mellower side of symphonic prog or metal-tinged neo-prog. The main problem i have is that the album feels a bit monotonous as Denis Borgatti's vocals are a bit underwhelming and a much more dynamic vocalist could've carried the music a lot farther. Neo-prog almost demands a competently wide ranged vocalist to elevate the music to a higher level. It's a noble effort but not really something that's utterly brilliant enough to repeat return visits and as far as the silly alien story is concerned i didn't find it very convincing.