FRONTIERA

This has become one of my all time favourite Italian releases. PROCESSION features dual lead guitars and a vocalist (Gianfranco Gaza) that takes a back seat to no one. Gianfranco would also guest on ARTI E MESTERI's second album.The guy can flat out sing. No keyboards here but there is mellotron on a couple of tracks. This isn't just a Hard Rock album either as we get a lot of acoustic guitar which sounds so good especially when the two of them are playing together.

"Ancora Una Notte" opens with acoustic guitar but then it turns dark and heavy quickly. A calm follows. Vocals after 1 1/2 minutes with acoustic guitar. It's building. How good does this sound when the electric guitar comes in. A guitar solo 3 1/2 minutes in. Love when the guitar mimics the vocals. "Uomini E Illusioni" opens with some nice raw guitar then drums and deep bass join in. Incredible sound ! Vocals a minute in as the guitar lights it up. "Citta Grande" is pastoral to start with acoustic guitar. Vocals join in quickly and we get a full sound after a minute. Contrasts continue. What a fantastic tune. The guitar solo before 3 minutes is tasteful then it turns heavy. It ends as it began. "Incontra" features strummed guitar throughout. Vocals join in quickly. Some flute and mellotron in this one.

"Anche Io Sono Un Uomo" is melancholic early with vocals, guitar and drums standing out. Mellotron comes in as the guitar solos. Some ripping guitar and vocals 3 minutes in. Nice. "Un Monde Di Liberta" is the longest track at around 8 1/2 minutes. Acoustic guitar to open then it turns aggressive before a minute. Acoustic guitar only (like the intro) takes over before 4 minutes. Vocals a minute later. Vocal melodies after 6 minutes then it gets fuller. How good is this ! "Solo 1" is a rip roaring tune. Vocals before a minute as the guitars offers up some blistering solos. It settles 2 minutes in with some gorgeous acoustic guitar. There's even a psychedelic flavour late. The intro makes me laugh on "Un'ombra Chevaga". It's loud and not pleasing to the ears at all. In other words it's great. A calm 2 minutes in as acoustic guitar and reserved vocals take over. Some vocal melodies follow. "Solo 2" opens with the guitars and harmonica on fire. Vocals before a minute. A very cool ending to this song and album as we get this explosive sound then it turns haunting.

Thankyou Todd !! And thankyou Gianfranco ! This album pushes all the right buttons for me.