Italian Progressive Rock as a subgenre

Ivan_Melgar_M wrote: Well, just found this thread.   My opinion is that no genre or category should be based in national reasons, only in musical characteristics.   IMHO Symphonic is Symphonic in Italy, UK and Timbuktu.   The case in Prog Folk should beeven more radical, Symphonic bands of Italy, UK and USA have something in common, all are Symphonic and have a wide classical influence,   Folk from UK is mainly Celtic Folk from Spain is mainly Flamenco or Andaluz Folk from South America is mainly Andean Folk from Africa is mainly tribal   But all are united under only one genre that is Prog Folk, why should Italian case be different?   Now, if we have Progresivo Italiano why not German Prog or USA Prog? We have a site based in genres with own and main characteristics, why change it all  to a system based in nationality only for one country?   Just ask yourselves why not Swedish (Or Scandinavian Progressive if you think it's all a region) then we would place all the Prog Metal bands influenced in Viking Metal with Anglagard, Par Lind Project. Kalevala and The Flower Kings all in one sack?   I understand the love of all members for Italian Prog, but I'm convinced (Personal opinion) that sub-genres should only be based in musical characteristics or influences but not for nationality or regions.   My 2 cents.   Iván

Edited by andrea - September 08 2006 at 15:09

erik neuteboom wrote: Well, Ghostrider, my problem with the current categorisation is that you have:   1) Italian progrock bands inspired by mainly Genesis, ELP, Gentle Giant like Le Orme, Banco, PFM, Museo Rosenbach, etc. 2) Italian progrock bands that sound very original like Osanna, Il Balletto Di Bronzo, New Trolls, etc.   So if you point at Italian symphonic rock as a typical movement, you should separate and re-name it as:   1) Italian Classic Symphonic Prog Inspired 2) Typical Italian Prog   I was paid by M@X to shut my mouth about this subject  ...

Well, just found this thread.

Edited by Ivan_Melgar_M - September 08 2006 at 13:43

erik neuteboom wrote: 2) Italian progrock bands that sound very original like Osanna, Il Balletto Di Bronzo, New Trolls, etc.

Il Balletto Di Bronzo is influenced by ELP, King Crimson, even Colosseum, however they created music in their own way

dagrush wrote: Sidenote: Not all German bands are Krautrock. For instance, Eloy and Grobschnitt aren't.

For instance first album of Grobschnitt is pure Krautrock. Eloy also has Krautrock albums


There is a necessity to maintain genre called "Italian Symphonic Prog" in the same way like so far. It's very hard to qualify in how many percents various Italian bands are influenced by great English bands.

Non-symphonic Italian bands should be IMO classified to their proper genres, for example Area, Perigeo to jazz rock. Creating a new genre for all Italian bands called "Italian prog" isn't a good idea for me, though I love Italian bands.

Btw - my friends from Poland (like me) are keen on various genres of prog. But some of them don't like/hate Italian bands (symphonic, jazz rock etc.). Why? Primarily they don't like/hate Italian language in music. They also find music of Italian bands too impassioned. Maybe is it an argument to create a new genre for all Italian bands?

Sidenote: Not all German bands are Krautrock. For instance, Eloy and Grobschnitt aren't, despite that so many reviewers seem to think automatically that German = Krautrock.

Anyway, to the main point. I don't think countries should get their own genres, but looking at the top albums by country would be a good idea.


Edited by dagrush - September 08 2006 at 11:05

As has been stated quite elequently by Erik over the past few weeks,I think that the Italian Prog Bands which have been directly influenced by Classic Symphonic Prog and maintained those characteristics need to be in Symphonic Prog.

The big question is then to decide if the remaining "quintissential" Italian Prog Bands are sufficiently ideosyncratic to warrant a seperate genre.

It is a reasonable and logical position to conclude "why Italy?" Then "If Italy,why not Hungary or Spain or France?"

Why have this distinction? The current situation is unsatisfactory but to dismantle the genre now would be contentious.

mccrank_yeahrig wrote:      My opinion is that Italian Symphonic prog has to be classified as it is, because they have a particular style (although you don't like it, you have to admit it hehehe). I think it's the same that if we do it with Kraut Rock (which is German prog rock).

1. If ISP goes back to Symph, where does Klautrock go?
2. I can point several Klautrock that aren't german; can you point some ISP that isn't Italian?

Edited by Ricochet - September 08 2006 at 10:34

     My opinion is that Italian Symphonic prog has to be classified as it is, because they have a particular style (although you don't like it, you have to admit it hehehe). I think it's the same that if we do it with Kraut Rock (which is German prog rock). 

Well, Ghostrider, my problem with the current categorisation is that you have: