AREKNAMÉS

The Italian band AREKNAMÉS has become known as one of the most inventive retro prog bands of the 21st century with a dark progressive style that has meticulously studied dozens of progressive artists of the past and blended all the styles together in hitherto unforeseen ways. Led by composer, keyboardist and vocalist Michele Epifani, the band got its start in 1997 first with the name Lentofumo and then switching to Arco del Pendolo and then once again to Mors in Fabula. Apparently none of these monikers really hit the spot so in 2001 Epifani settled not the name AREKNAMÉS which came from a track title on the album "Pollution" from the Italian master Franco Battiato.

Each band name showcased a different stylistic approach from Lentofumo's vision. Arco del Pendolo was more of a jazz-rock band but once bassist Piero Ranalli was added the lineup of Lentofumo on a large number of keyboards along with then drummer Simone Antonini, the band's names changed and so did its style into a guitar-free organ based trio in the vein of Atomic Rooser, Still Life, Dr. Z and Quatermass. When the band became AREKNAMÉS, drummer Mino Vitelli joined ranks and the band's morphed into a dark psychedelic progressive style primarily inspired by Van der Graaf Generator.

Although the band would later recruit a guitarist and thus shifting its sound style radically upon each subsequent release, this self-titled debut which was released in 2003 showcased the band in full VDGG mode showcasing Epifani's command of the organ, electric piano, mellotron, synthesizers, harpsichord along with along with acoustic and electric guitars as well as lead vocals. Much in the vein of Peter Hammill's eclectic charisma, AREKNAMÉS learned the art of masterful compositional meandering all led by intricately destined melodies and brooding atmospheric moodiness which sort of made them the masters of retro VDGG worship however the band also listed over 50 other artists as primary influences therefore the music on this one is chock full of retro 70s styles intertwined like a delicious plate of spaghetti.

This album of six tracks plays almost an hour with almost every track exceeding eight minutes with the exception of the mere near six minute track "Wasted Time." While VDGG is without a doubt the primary influence on board, the band clearly tucked in some Canterbury jazz, dissonant King Crimson, pastoral symphonic prog of Genesis as well as other Italian prog bands more in the line of Osanna or Il Bigletto di Bronzo when it came to rocking out. Add to that some psychedelic touches which at times vaguely remind of Pink Floyd but in a much more cerebral Krautish way. All in all Lentofumo performed an exemplary task of capturing the sounds and moods of so many disparate classic prog acts and succeeding in making it sound original. Once again his eccentric vocal style nods to Peter Hammill in how it's all carried out.

Unlike most Italian prog bands, AREKNAMÉS did not use the Italian language for its lyrics and therefore does not sound particularly Italian but then again given the amount of influences on board doesn't really pinpoint any particular region of origin although the band was formed in the Italian city of Pescara. One of the most retro features of this album is clearly the choice of retro keyboard sounds ranging from vintage organs to classic mellotron sounds however despite everything retro in revival here, the band throws in enough contemporary sounds to sound relevant. Some of the keyboard riffs and musical motifs are more out of the Spock's Beard playbook then anything from the golden years of prog. Overall this is a very trippy and weird album that takes a magnificent journey through many musical moods and variations of an overarching prog theme.