HEARTQUAKE

Another entry by an 80's Italian band,but this time with a very British sound.LEVIATHAN were formed in mid-80's in Rome by singer Alex Brunori, keyboardisy Franco Pezzella and drummer Andrea Moneta and the same year they even recorded a demo entitled ''7% solution'',distributed in a few copies, enough for the band to gain some wide recognizion.In 1987 with the arrival of Wldrek Sandro on bass and Giorgio Carana on guitars LEVIATHAN enter the studio to record their debut ''Heartquake'',released the next year and re-issued on CD by Musea Records five years later.

It is rather a surprise that the band's sound has nothing to do with any group related to the Italian prog movement of the 70's.Obviously influenced by the new prog movement of UK, LEVIATHAN produced some exciting melodic prog.All tracks are sung by Brunori in English:an emotional,clear and non-accented voice,who supports the band's style very well.The album is filled with the nice playing of Carana,who's distorted guitars are all over the place,delivering sensitive solos, great breaks and catchy grooves.The synth work of Pezzella ranges from colorful supporting roles to grandiose,almost symphonic passages and resembles more than anyone to IQ's Martin Orford.However I find their sound to be a hybrid between ''The wake''-era IQ and early PALLAS in the most bombastic and intense tracks,yet each one is played with great lust and inspiration.

Neo prog followers will love this album,the rest of the progheads will have some pleasant time spent,I think, if listening to ''Heartquake''.Warmly recommended.