CANOSSA "ROCK OPERA"

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 !