A PIEDI NUDI

With the prog revival of the 90s taking off with bands like the Flower Kings, Spock's Beard, Anglagard and Anekdoten rekindling the spirit of the 70s that was more or less extinguished in the commercial musical leanings of the 1980s, the Italian prog scene was also getting a second wind even as classic 70s bands such as Le Orme and Banco del Mutuo Soccorso were still cranking out albums throughout it all (but also watering down their prog aspects to attempt to stay relevant). While not nearly as a prolific era as the golden years of the early 1970s, bands like Nuova Era, Eris Pluvia, Finisterre and Höstsonaten were reviving the classic symphonic prog romanticism that the Italian scene delivered so uniquely well making Italy one of the most successful nations to export prog during the 70s. One similar band to form in 1991 was the hard edged A PIEDI NUDI ( Italian for "barefoot") which emerged from Rovigo.

Notable for mixing the classic RPI style with heavier rock, A PIEDI NUDI offered one of the most hards rocking blends of Italian prog since bands like Procession and Il Rovescio Della Medaglia burst on to the 70s scene with their own style of early proto-metal infused Italian prog. While experiencing lineup changes over its three album run throughout the 90s, the first lineup that appeared on this self-titled debut featured Mirko Schiesaro (vocals), Nicola Gardinale (guitar, backing vocals), Cristian Chinaglia (keyboards), Simone Bighetti (bass, 12-string guitar), and Carlo Bighetti (drums, flute, backing vocals). This would be the only album for lead vocalist Schiesaro who would jump ship after this debut allowing drummer Carlo Bighetti to pick up the additional task as lead singer. This dramatic darker variety of RPI debut featured 12 epic tracks that stampeded past the one hour mark.

Although several classic Italian prog bands added the extra touches of harder rock ranging from Osanna to Il Bigletto Di Bronzo, A PIEDI NUDI upped the ante so to speak and didn't just copy and paste past glories but rather took the romantic symphonic prog prototype of classic RPI artists and infused it with the modernities of the 1990s. With raw and aggressive rhythmic drives, A PIEDI NUDI delivered a borderline metal hybrid that offered a touch of alternative metal chord crunching along with the occasional modern guitar soloing techniques. The heavy rock freneticism of the guitar, bass and drums is accompanied by the more traditional keyboard styles of the 70s along with Schiesaro's vocals evoking the passionate romanticism of the classic era. This mix is stark and utterly unique as far as i've ever heard. While there were hard rocking RPI bands in the 70s, those bands deemphasized the symphonic prog aspects during their hard rock phase and focused on a more complex style of proto-metal. APIEDI NUDI feels equally at home in either the pastoral lushness of classic RPI as it does the modern world of heavier alt rock / metal.

This is even made more stark during turbulent instrumental outbreaks that take the guitar, bass and drumming action into overdrive meanwhile the keyboards remain staunchly rooted in the past as do the vocals which are fashionably sung entirely in the Italian language. The band also added elements of the darker world of contemporary rock with touches of gothic rock and grungy guitar tones. To call this album surreal would be an understatement as it sounds like two distinctly different bands from different eras gathered for a moment of cross-pollination that nobody else seemed to think of. Somehow despite the contrasting passionate display of Italian 70s sensibilities in cahoots with the harder nihilistic style of guitar playing that made the alternative 90s so distinct, the band pulls it all off quite successfully with neither style dominating and both finding the perfect middle ground to let the other simply meld into the overall mix of things.

And best of all this album doesn't sound the least bit gimmicky. The composiitons themselves are captivating and suit both the hard rock heft of the instrumentation as well as the more sentimental vocal and keyboard contributions. Overall this is a fascinating clash of two disparate musical scenes and one that A PIEDI NUDI delivered with gusto. Despite all odds, the pastoral tender aspects of the band's sound craftily cavort with the adrenalized rock bluster. All in all A PIEDI NUDI filigreed a fusion all their own and despite losing Schiesaro as the lead vocalist after this eponymous debut, would continue this unique federation of disparate musical forces. Although this one doesn't seem to get a lot of love, i find it captivating and utterly exhilarating!