STRIGMA

In 2007 both Davide Guidoni and Guglielmo Mariotti left Taproban, the first went on to form Daal with Alfio Costa, the second joined The Watch as a bassist and both helped Walter Pini to reincarnate Nuova Era.Gianluca di Rossi found again himself alone in the line-up, he paused the activities of the band for a couple of years to collaborate with legendary drummer Carlo Bordini on two tracks, recorded for the Dante-related series of Musea.In 2011 Di Rossi recruited young drummer Francesco Pandico and bassist/guitarist Roberto Vitelli to reform Taproban and in early 2012 the trio was again on stage, while they started composing material for a new album.French label Musea signed the band and Taproban returned in 2013 with the fourth studio album ''Strigma''.

The album is only about 40 minutes long, but contains three long progressive suites in the typical Taproban style, which see the band turning to a more dark and haunting sound, as proposed by the 15-min. opener ''Nesia al notturno congresso delle streghe''.While there are certain moments, when the group still simulates the dreamy synth lines of GENESIS and the powerful keyboard symphonicism of NUOVA ERA, its majority follows a fairly sinister keyboard-driven sound with choirs, quirky Hammond organ and slow, psychedelic themes with a bit of electric tunes, which remind me of IL BALLETO DI BRONZO.As expected, this one passes through various climates and tempos and contains heavy Classical/symphonic orientations, which are still displayed in the 9-min. follower ''Lo sguardo di Emily''.This one comes as a logical step following the opening sound, introducing the echoes of the harsichord, offering multiple piano interludes in an approach towards Classical-drenched music, featuring some nice flute and strings throughout and eventually being highlighted by a grand finale on church organ and synths with the most dramatic mood of the whole album, much in the vein of old NUOVA ERA.''La porta nel buio'' is an almost 19-min.closer with the band still sinking into haunting and virtuosic keyboard Prog with several LE ORME, IL BALLETO DI BRONZO and LATTE E MIELE comparisons.Lots of E.L.P.-ish virtuosic Hammond organ parts and neurotic synthesizers, melancholic piano variations, but also some excellent guitar/organ melodic duets, which still hold an odd, almost Gothic atmosphere.Another very good composition, propably the most intense on the album and the only one to feature some nice, expressive Italian vocals.

IL BALLETO DI BRONZO are still alive...but this time they are named Taproban.The darkest work of the band with an impresive keyboard palette and flexible moods in a nostalgic trip through the world of Italian SymphoRock.Strongly recommended...3.5 stars.