GRAN TURISMO VELOCE

Gran Turismo plays a melodious progressive rock that moves between just melodious rock and progressive rock. They mix a bit of prog with more melodic rock songs, it's always good and there's always a tone of progressive rock included, but many times it's actually melodic rock more than anything else. It should be said that the melodic rock songs are of consistently high quality. When the group decides to play more progressively, it's usually really good. They remind me of many other Italian groups at this time such as La coscienza di zeno, La maschera di cera, and others. They have a nice balance between the instruments and the music varies between light and sweet, to hard, with a lot of dynamics. The music when they play progressively varies between light and sweet, melodic to hard and it is all performed with a lot of dynamics. The production is top-notch and it sounds really good. The singer is really skilled and has a bright voice that fits nicely into the music, I would have liked to see them try to extend the songs and play out a bit more, when they do that they are very successful. Overall, a very pleasant album that has a lot of good music, especially when they focus more on the progressive rock.

This is an Italian four piece band from 2008, their name is derived from a famous Seventies sports car. Three years later the band released their debut CD, four elements impress me: the passionate Italian vocals (lots of expression and emotion), a huge tension beween the mellow and bombastic pieces, the build ups to compelling final parts (ending in Prog Rock Heaven) and the stunning covert art (in the vein of Magritte).

Especialy the two longer compositions are pure prog pleasure.

Quantocamia : alternating, powerful guitar work, a varied keyboard sound.

L'Indice E l'Occhio : a splendid build up with jawdropping and varied vintage keyboard play (Grand piano, classical orchestrations, Minimoog and Mellotron violins and choirs).

In the shorter Misera Venera (reprise) we can also enjoy that lush keyboard sound, very pleasantly supported by fiery guitar and fat Moog Taurus bass pedals. Along a wonderful part with a flute solo and Mellotron waves.

In L'Estremo Viaggiatore the band showcases their harder-edged side. First an intro with fat Minimoog runs, then an up-tempo beat with a bombastic climate and a thunderous rhtyhm-section, heavy Hammond and blistering guitar, The climate alternates between Heavy Prog and prog metal, pretty exciting.

In L'Artista the opposite sound: dreamy with subdued vocals, moving Hackett-like guitar and in the end wonderfully blended with Grand piano, what a beautiful sound.

And what a beautiful debut album, varied and elaborate, in the genuine Italian prog tradition. Unfortunately it remained silent after this very promising debut release from 2011.

From the beautiful Toscana and the city of Grosseto hails this Italian quartet, found in 2008.With a 5-track demo titled ''In un solo brivido'' they hit the stages to make memorable performances and promote their music.After line-up changes and several gigs they settled to a core with Claudio Filippeschi on vocals/keyboards, Flavio Timpanaro on bass/backing vocals, Stefano Magini on drums and Massimo Dolce on guitars/programming and were offered a contract by the Lizard label to deliver their debut, eventually coming out in 2011 under the title ''Di carne, di anima''.

Gran Turismo Veloce claim to have been influenced by both 70's Prog Rock and the contemporary Prog Metal trend, the result is a flexible, powerful and energetic album, where the band tries to add some personal touches, adding lots of dynamic shifts and passionate instrumentals into more poetic and romantic offerings.The affects of their choices was music that sounds both mascular and ethereal at the same time, highlighted by impressive piano work, guitar moves and tasteful Italian lyrics.You can listen to some edgy Hammond organ doubled with angular synthesizers, you will face the richest of sounds, as guitars enter into the heaviest of volumes to deliver striking riffs and solos plus the material is extremely quirky and tricky with Classical influences, symphonic overtones, Fusion plays and Songwriter values.Great and clean production, I praise the band for delivering numerous shifts even on the shortest piece, without getting trapped into long, overstretched, needless performances.The compositions are very nice with tight bridges between the different segments and echoes of the 70's during the softer and more atmospheric parts (especially when the Mellotron jumps in) or during the vocal deliveries, the heavier material is another proof for where modern Prog drives to: Emphatic, grandiose and playful instrumental-vocal changes with complex themes and melodious touches.

Very good work, that left much to be desired for the future of the band.Symphonic, heavy, intricate and poetic.Strongly recommended...3.5 stars.

Gran Turismo Veloce come from Grosseto and began life in 2008 with the aim to play original stuff blending vintage and modern sounds. The name of the band was inspired by a series of Alfa Romeo sport cars and on stage all the members of the band wear red mechanic's overalls to emphasize their ironic, theatrical approach to a genre of music too often reputed excessively serious and self-indulgent.

In 2011, after a first demo, Gran Turismo Veloce released an excellent debut album on the independent label Lizard Records, "Di carne, di anima" (Of flesh, of soul), with a line up featuring Claudio Filippeschi (vocals, piano, keyboards), Flavio Timpanaro (bass, backing vocals), Stefano Magini (drums) and Massimo Dolce (guitars, backing vocals, loop programming). The result of their efforts is a perfectly balanced mix of various influences filtered through a very personal taste and a strong sense of irony that you can find also in the beautiful art cover by Francesco Serino and Francesco Rossi.

The opener "Anec Retrorsum" is just a very short introduction, just a patch of colour that leads to "Sorgente sonora" (Sonic source), a piece about musical creativity... "Nothing prevents my mind from flying across words / There are infinite concepts / Freedom of uncontrollable sensations / In the air a sonic source becomes thick / In a belly of passion the notes are dancing, breeding... I paint words on the edge of sound...". You have here ink smells blended with pure melody, sensual tango passages broken by aggressive guitar riffs and many more.

"Misera Venere" (Mean Venus) depicts a very dangerous, sexy woman. She's gorgeous and greedy, she's always perfect, she clouds even her shadow, she's charming and perfidious, she's the lady of the new tendencies, she's almost as nauseating as seducing and her charm expands around her as in a physical vortex. She's a kind of black widow who wield the weapons of beauty and seduction to get her victims and now she's lurking for another man. There's a change in mood, now the atmosphere becomes darker... "In the clash the heart crumbles and falls down to the bottom of the little pride that is left and is slowly melting / Stolen from the man who is slave of that world / The world of Venus...".

The following "Quantocamia" ia an amazing instrumental track with many changes in atmosphere and in rhythm. It begins with a high-paced rhythm section and a keyboards vortex that takes you away into space. Then a calmer, dreamy section follows and you can relax for a moment before a new surge of energy.

"L'artista" (The artist) begins softly with a nice piano pattern and electronic loops in the background. Imagine a man who escapes from the daily grind and revolves in his reflections, pushed by the warm wind of artistic creativity. Art can make a man live again every time you look at his works... "A new world shines through / Sprinkled with visions which blind the look of the usual thoughts...".

"L'estremo viaggiatore" (The extreme traveller) features heavy electric guitar riffs and baffling keyboards waves mixed with calmer, reflective passages. It's about a man who is going to set off on an interstellar voyage and will soon become a living legend. Now he's on the ramp leading to the spaceship and a tear crosses his face while he's thinking about his past and what he's leaving behind... "An echo of glory resounds in the air / Ready for his rebirth...".

"La paura" (Fear) begins with some electronic loops, then the vocals and some threatening guitar riffs conjure up a disquieting atmosphere. Fear is a feeling that cuts its way like a knife into your subconscious, it breaks out in a moment, with a single shiver, cold and merciless it haunts you in your darkest nightmares. Fear makes you hide from the real world and look for a shelter from the cynical society you live in but the cruel reality is that fear is a vital, essential feeling that helps every animal to survive and you have to cope with it.

"Misera Venere (reprise)" begins with some pulsing bass lines. The atmosphere is dark and mysterious... "Under attack she reveals the true world inside her / From mean Venus to a free statue / Of mind, of heart, of soul...". Well, this short reprise of "Misera Venere" reminds me of a beautiful novel by French writer Prosper Mérimée, La Venus d'Ille.

"L'indice e l'occhio" (The forefinger and the eye) features strong classical influences, hermetic lyrics and a melancholic mood. It makes me think of a sad make up in the dressing room of a theatre before a play where the pale mask of Pierrot will star... "The forefinger dives into the black powder / Then it walks along the eyelids as it paints the tears / Water and salt for a flower or an insect...". A short ghost track featuring a sax solo concludes this wonderful album.

On the whole I think that this is a work that should have a place in every Italianprog collection!

GRAN TURISMO VELOCE are another excellent new band out of Italy, and I really like the album cover too. Memorable is the word, not only for the cover art but for the music.

"Anec Retrorsum" is a short experimental intro then "Sorgente Sonora" comes in with piano only but it kicks in quickly with vocals to follow as it settles some. Great sound 1 1/2 minutes in with those powerful vocals. Riffs and a heavy sound 3 1/2 minutes in. "Misera Venere" opens with organ and a beat as the guitar echoes. Vocals follow then lots of piano takes over before the sound turns heavier after 2 1/2 minutes. It settles with vocals a minute later. The guitar rips it up late to end it. "Quantocamia" opens with some instrumental bombast. I really like when the drums come to the fore around 2 1/2 minutes. It then settles right down with piano. It turns dreamy before 4 1/2 minutes then kicks in again after 5 minutes.

"L'artista" is fairly laid back with vocals. It reminds me of BAUER actually. "L'estremo Viaggiatore" kicks in right away but then settles back and the vocals join in. Contrasts continue. On "La Paura" he sings in a relaxed manner while the cool sounding music continues. Samples 3 minutes in. "Misera Venere (Reprise)" sounds really good especially after 2 minutes when we get what sounds like mellotron and flute. "L'indice E L'occhio" opens with piano as vocals, synths and drums follow. An orchestral vibe joins in as well. The music stops after 4 1/2 minutes and spoken words take over. Silence from about 5 minutes to seven minutes then the music returns.

I like this record a lot and like everyone else so far I too give it 4 stars.

GTV is another Italian surprise, after years of meandering output, the celebrated Prog country is kicking serious butt again by unleashing a massive amount of new groups = Pandora, Il Bacio della Medusa, Il Labirinto di Specchi, La Coscienza di Zeno, Mappe Nootiche, Conqueror, Coral Caves, Corte Aulica, Fjieri, Notabene, L'Estato di San Martino, No Sound, Rohmer, Aries, Chiave di Volta, UTO and Narrow Pass, etc?.Tons of delicious stuff. Much like my RPI colleagues , I am astounded by this rather unique release, a heady mix of modern crunch united with old school elegance, a quartet that takes no prisoners in going for the jugular, both instrumentally where the playing is phenomenal and compositionally, creating strong musical moments. Guitarist Massimo Dolce can rage and fulminate as well a swoon and seduce, combining sizzling soloing with crunchy rhythms. He is the source of "weird ideas" as stated in the credits and he certainly delivers the unforeseen. Claudio Fillipeschi provides 2 crucial ingredients, a barrage of keyboards (though piano is the main vessel) and a stellar voice that is both debonair and expressive. Generally, RPI rhythm sections are not too shabby and both Flavio Timpanaro and Stefano Magini conspire to lay down a powerbase foundation that has no cracks. After the first 2 mini-openers, things get seriously into focus with the next 2 epics "Misera Venere" and "Quantocamia" are scintillating compositions that are simply mind blowing, both for elusive creativity and sonic restraint. While the first is refined and graceful with its looping bass-led motivation, scorching guitar, growling Hammond, howling mellotron and dignified vocals , (to be reprised later on a seductive part 2) , the second contrast nicely with a more forceful delivery, broodingly brutal and macho manly, the flailing drum/synth combo devastating everything in its path. The unruffled piano mid-section is to expire for, a liquid calm amid the raging gales, the ideal platform for a mercurial lead guitar solo that is concise yet striking. This is primo prog, ladies and gents! Three shorter tracks ensue, the delicate "L'Artista" supported by acoustic guitars, piano and lilting beat, giving the lead lung the stage to wail away in animated agony. Walls of keyboards contribute to the emotion. "L'Estremo Viaggiatore" goes in the other extreme, the bass upfront and center, morphing into a power chorus hurled convincingly, chugging guitar and blistering solo etc?The voice shines once again, the man can sing. "La Paura" is more oblique, less refined, kind of a stranger mix of styles (check out the sliced and diced guitar licks) including a main melody that contrasts nicely due to its overt unfussiness. This is another secure track. The afore- mentioned "Misera Venere reprise" is a killer track that has all the classic prog elements from Taurus bass pedals to intricate flute and swelling waves of anxious mellotron. The binary beat only adds to the thrill, propelling the forlorn mood ever forward, the trembling vocals shimmering brightly in resolute pain. Colossal highlight this is, complete with obligatory blasts of lead guitar. Wow! The finale is an 8 minute + closer that does not fail to inspire, piano leading the charge, holding the singer's hand (silly, 'coz it's the same person!), the progression remains deliberate and poised whilst adding classical touches (the huge string symphonics and the trumpet-like synths) that heighten the appeal immensely. The attention to the minutest detail is what makes this such a compelling recording. A long silence then proceeds to a totally unexpected sax blow-out goodbye that is uncredited to boot .

GTV is a welcome addition to the forever rejuvenated and rejuvenating RPI scene , proving once again that Italy is a prog hotbed of the very highest caliber. Can we have some more, please? Perhaps a bit longer , too .....

4.5 Tuned tunas

The artwork looks like a carbon-copy of Clepsydra's Alone, a fish looking into a mirror wondering if it's the most beautiful one in the sea.

The last two years has been one long party for all fans of Italian symphonic prog. Some stunning albums has arrived in the scene. Albums from both debutants, new bands with their follow up albums or new studio albums from the 1970s bands.

Gran Turismo Veloce and this, their debut album is one of the reasons I can safely say we have never had it so good, those of us into this scene. Gran Turismo Veloce does not follow the full RPI recipe though. Their sound is not RPI for a start. The guitar sound has more in common with the new British bands. The vocals are Italian, but also pretty much in the Radiohead style. By no means does does Gran Turismo Veloce follow the RPI scene. Instead; they have carved out their own place in the scene. And Gran Turismo Veloce is a RPI band. No doubts about that.

The music on Di Carne, Di Anima is both symphonic and melodic. I would argue; very melodic and very intelligently made too. The lyrics are brilliant. The music is very pastoral with a lot of melodic electric guitars. Some of the guitar solos is really stunning and air guitar inspiring.

In short; this is a great album by all accounts. This is also an album which will grow and grow on the listener. I have a long term friendship with Di Carne, Di Anima.

The party continues.

4 stars

Earlier this year my mates and I on the RPI team had the pleasure of evaluating a new band for possible inclusion called Gran Turismo Veloce. On seeing a publicity photo of the band in red overalls I didn't have high hopes of this band fitting the RPI bill and was expecting something along the lines of the Italian equivalent to Devo. Looks however as is proved here can be deceptive and after listening to this band that has a clearly modern take on Italian prog yet still giving a nod to the past got my vote.

Di Carne, Di Anima is their first album and whilst I liked what I heard on my initial evaluation of the band having the whole album on Cd now in my possession I'm even more impressed. Gran Turismo Veloce are clearly a band not happy to regurgitate the great prog heritage Italy has from the seventies. The sharp production and streamlined compositions clearly mark them as a band for the current decade yet whilst much of the instrumentation has a modern sound - the razor sharp guitar riffs, the synths and some programing here and there, they still make good use of piano, organ, flute and even accordion which is where the most obvious seventies sounds come through.

The nine compositions are largely on the short side by prog standards with only a couple of tracks breaking the seven minute barrier but they still manage to pack plenty of ideas and inventive instrumental interplay into them. A hard band to pigeonhole they are often at the heavier end of the prog spectrum, sometimes drifting into metallic guitar riffs, jazz elements are present as are symphonic touches with some classically tinged piano playing. They counterbalance the heavier elements with plenty of restrained light and shade which is often piano driven and held together by some strong melodies and very good vocals. The standard of musicianship is excellent as are the compositions. The first half of the album is truly outstanding, which captures the band at their most inventive and captivating. The remainder however is not far behind making the album a very enjoyable listen as a whole.

For such a new band to make an album as strong as this for their debut bodes well for an exciting future and marks Gran Turismo Veloce as a band to keep an eye on. In my book they are up there with Pandora for the best RPI title of the year. Some stiff competition will have to come along to shift them from that spot.

I predict this will be on many 'Best of 2011' lists

Gran Turismo Veloce is one of the exciting new breed of RPI artists coming online who prove the modern scene is vibrant and not simply a regurgitation of the retro sound. They formed in Grosseto in 2008 and are named after the exotic Italian sportscar. The band began playing live, writing original music, and winning national competitions. They were noticed by Samuele Santanna of Raven Sad and assisted by Loris Furlan of Lizard Records. Their 2011 debut is a fantastic success as well as a superb example of the great RPI still flowing.

GTV certainly have heard classic Italian prog and they sound influenced by it. The first thought that popped into my head as I listened was that this was like a young Banco-influenced band with lots of modern edge. All of the drama of the classic sound is there, with the beautiful piano runs and passionate Italian vocals. But also present are hard-hitting and powerful blasts of alternative rock and heavy, spacey progressive rock, sometimes bordering on metal. It is absolutely refreshing and quite original, infectious and very well executed. The songs are vital, energetic and accessible, containing plenty of quirky diversions and change-ups. You will not be bored and you will not be skipping tracks. Large and generous keyboards and piano, distorted rock guitars, a bitchin' rhythm section, and good vocals. I'm most excited by the songwriting however. I sense with GTV a band who will have a long future of diverse and creative albums which will experiment while always retaining the interest of the 70s RPI fans.

They walk that tightrope with great agility, creating music that will interest fans of current and modern music without sounding clich'd or predicable. There are elements of fusion, metal, and electronica, there is great mood and emotion. There's even a bit of shred, witness the killer wailing on 'L'estremo viaggiatore.' The wonderful 'Misera Venere reprised' features fantastic flute melody over gorgeous welling mellotron (or string synth, whatever it is). They include the fine melodic tradition that many of us oldsters swoon over, but they have that crisp and biting, meticulously hammered heaviness that has become especially important in the last decade. What I love most about listening to this disc is that it never falls into a rut where things all sound the same....each song sounds unique and filled with ideas as musicians are actively chasing their curiosities. This is what good modern prog can be like! We can have melody, reasonable complexity, and heaviness in an accessible band. I can see this appealing to many prog fans whose preferred taste may lie outside of RPI, and I think RPI fans will eat it up. So much to love'but especially the extended (and interesting!) jamming of 'Quantocamia', the voices, strings, piano of 'L'artista, and the hidden sax outtro on the last track! Love the heavy, up-front bass lines, the thoughtful drumming, and the great contrast of the traditional piano with the monster guitar crunch and bold synths.

GTV's debut is truly excellent and I consider this band one of the new trailblazers who will help define the modern RPI scene. It's not just about the 1970s anymore and yet GTV are smart enough to not dismiss the good things that old period gave us. I really believe they love the 70s Italian scene as much as we do, which bodes well for wherever they choose to go, for they will have a true appreciation. The artwork is a clever play on some fishy images that also deserves a nod. Fantastic job across the board, gentlemen. A new era classic.