PASSIO SECUNDUM MATTHEUM

This is a concept album about the life and death of "Jesus Christ". I am not at all into religion (but I respect it as long as I am respected in my atheism as well). Still, this work holds some marvelous ingredients of the beautiful Italian prog genre I praise so much.

As most of the concept albums, this one gains in being listened from start to finish. No outstanding tracks but a high quality standard all the way through. Very short pieces are too many IMO (five clocking at less than two minutes). They do not really leave the time to develop an idea.

Music is very attractive : ranging from pure symphonic prog ("Introduzionze", "Getzemani") to jazzy ("I Testimoni-Second Part") with even some opera-like parts ("Il Pïanto"). "Ultima Cena" has a definite "ELP" savour, would you exclude the guitar sound of course.

If you would master the beautiful Italian language, it would be a plus of course to understand the story. But since it is now well known for about two thousand years, I guess that you shouldn't be too much lost if you don't. "Ultima Cena" and "Il Calvario" speak for themselves (at least I can grab these titles). The latter being a very emotional song of course. A highlight full of passion (not willing to do a play on words here).

The theme of this album can be very inspiring of course. Such a story .Any Italian prog fan should listen to this work. Very few would regret it. Seven out of ten would be suitable, but I wouldn't go up to four stars to rate this good album. Three stars.