ATTO I

"Atto I" is the debut EP by the Taranto based Plurima Mundi, a new 6-piece outfit delivering lavish and elegant compositions that should thrill many RPI fans. They sound markedly different than many other current entries on the RPI scenes, different than the heavy-rock proggers, folkier entries, or those infused with metal or neo influences. As mentioned in my Bio, this band has a feisty compositional attitude and grabs every style in the book in the search for a unique sound?.and it works! Blending so many styles could be a disaster in some cases but not here.

The band is led by violinist/composer Massimiliano Monopoli with lyrics by vocalist Grazia Maremonti. The base sound is very modern fusion of jazz, rock, and classical music with dabblings in about every style. If the description is beginning to remind you of Quella Vecchia Locanda it would be understandable?but not very accurate. Plurima Mundi only occasionally recalls QVL via the violin/classical emphasis, most of the time the sound is more contemporary and light-hearted. There are pop sensibilities running through these tracks even as they are satisfyingly complex and daring. Sophisticated and mature in their talents, yet the attitude is playful and bold?this band is throwing everything at the wall here. The lead violin is backed by electric guitar, often funky bass, and energetic drumming, all of these lads delivering some monster chops. Alternately tracks will be led by Francesco Pagliarulo's furious piano runs. Another secret weapon is the soaring female vocals of Grazia Maremonti. While there are long and jamming instrumental sections, Grazia's vocals serve welcome change-ups throughout and give the songs some real balance and variety. The opening instrumental moves with mean dexterity from a Celtic flirt to some swift jazzy runs before a crazy violin rush to the finish line. "Nei ricordi del tempo" is more romantic and soft. "Laboratorio 30" is where things get pretty nuts, a 10-minute feast of progressive rock: dueling violin and electric guitar runs, a sweet vocal mid section before another chaotic ending. The closer "Aria" features an arresting duet between Grazia and special guest Lino Vairetti of Osanna. Both are superbly talented and the Italian vocals have that zest and life that fans expect. This is one of many examples where modern RPI is fully realized, building on the traditions that made the genre great, but morphing it into a new branch on the sound tree. They manage a difficult balancing act of birthing a sound that is satisfying to progressive fans while actually having more commercial crossover potential than many.

We were delighted to approve this band to RPI as they are fresh and full of potential, offering a different sound than many genre fans are used to. I'm really psyched to hear where this band goes with a full length release, but don't wait. Get this fine introduction while you can through MaRaCash's or BTF's website. The brief booklet does include full lyrics printed in Italian.

Share this PLURIMA MUNDI review

Social review comments () BETA

---

---

Review related links

• Send comments to Finnforest
• Report this review (#238814)
• Buy PLURIMA MUNDI music online with PA partners
• Show all PLURIMA MUNDI MP3/Stream
• Go to PLURIMA MUNDI page for videos, full discography with ratings, reviews and much more
• Go to Atto I page for more details, where to buy and ratings/reviews
• Search the Forum for PLURIMA MUNDI related discussions