FINISTERRE

FINISTERRE are another project of the modern-era Italian mastermind Fabio Zuffanti.After my previous pleasant experience with MASCHERA DI CERA's amazing debut,it was time for me to go on and search for another Zuffanti project and how this sounds.My choice was FINISTERRE's debut album from 1995 and I didn't regret it...

There is some common ground between the music of FINISTERRE and MASCHERA...,but there are also some evident differences.Generally this album is sounding like a modern italian symphonic rock band like MASCHERA...,but I think the influences here are wider.There are some complex Crimson-esque arrangements,the band has a more symphonic sound resembling to BANCO DEL MUTUO SOCCORSO- unlike MASCHERA...,who sound a lot like MUSEO ROSENBACH-,but there are also some hints of the british prog scene especially in the guitar melodies...

After a weak start with the uninteresting ''Aqua'' intro,the band delivers a nice combination of italian and british prog in ''Asia'' with superb guitars and excellent flute work.''Macinaaqua'' has also an uninteresting rocking/classical 3 min.intro,but then the track is simply excellent with the melodic guitars and the dramatic vocals creating an over-emotional atmosphere...In ''Da Caos'' the band pays a tribute to KING CRIMSON with complex composition and Fripp-ian guitar work...''EYN'' is the absolute epic of the album and it is really hard for me to describe it...Very symphonic,complex musicianship alternating with melodic,the use of instruments like spanish guitar,flute,accordeon and saxes give a different color to this track,heavy keyboars and overall an italian symphonic atmosphere of the 70's is what you'll get,simply amazing,worth buying this album only for this track!''Isis'' is another nice dark track,with flutes,piano and keyboards taking over after the middle and vocals in the style of Francesco Di Giacomo of BANCO...''Cantoantico'' is another excellent mix of the british prog scene (melodic guitars,keyboards) and the italian romanticism (acoustic guitars,vocal style,driving flutes).The closing track ''Phaedra'' is certainly a great instrumental with beautiful piano in the old italian style,heavy organ and crying guitars.Excellent finish!

Zuffanti has done it.He has created another memorable album along with his talented collaborators,worth existing in your collection.4 full stars with my highest recommendations and neddless to say that I'm already in search for some HOSTSONATEN music!