IL TEMPIO DELLE CLESSIDRE

Though not the world debut of the talents of keyboard wizard Elisa Montaldo, this is the first project in which Elisa is one of the band's leaders and principle songwriters. Taking their title from a song title from the "classic" 1970s album, Zarathstra by ITALIAN rockers MUSEO ROSENBACH, and then cue in the vocals of Stefano "Lupo" Galifi from that same legendary band (MUSEO ROSENBACH) and you get some idea of the musical inspiration and course planned out for their collaboration.

1. "Verso l'Alba" (2:52) opens with some very familiar sounds from 1970s RPI music: deep organ arpeggi, synth, guitar tone and drumming style all seem to be intentionally replicating the past. (4.5/5)

2. "Insolita Parte Di Me" (7:21) layers of amazing keyboards replete with many melodic themes and motifs and some great singing. (14/15)

3. "Boccadasse" (5:21) complex heavy rock like URIAH HEEP mixed with LYNYRD SKYNYRD. with a strong vocal performance over it. (8.5/10)

4. "Le Due Metà Della Notte" (5:19) (8.75/10)

5. "La Stanza Nascosta" (5:10) piano and Lupo's solo voce until cello joins in for the second verse. What a pianist! At 3:30 arpeggiating electrified acoustic guitar joins in and then dramatic entry of spacey Mellotron chords. Wow! (9.25/10)

6. "Danza Esoterica Di Datura" (6:13) wind and footsteps in bubbling stream precede the breakout of a heavy RPI theme which then disappears as Mellotron-rich textures fill behind demonic heavily-edited voices. This is then replaced by soloing piano in the third minute, which then ends at 3:16 with the brief return of the heavy 1970s RPI theme, but then continues until 4:20 when the heavy full-band ensemble take off in a wonderful weave for the rest of the song. Wonderful song with a nightmarish, Tchaikovsky feel to it. (9.5/10)

7. "Faldistorium" (6:02) bass, cymbals, and wavering synth notes open this one before 0:45 when full band presents a jazzy weave for the first motif. When the guitarist starts to solo at the end of the second minute, it sounds so 70s RPI! Mellotrons drench the soundscape over the next minute of bridges before Lupo begins whispering conspiratorially over the Hammond- and church-organ-based heavy rock foundation. Very, very cool song! (10/10)

8. "L'Attesa" (4:36) very heavy organ- and riffing electric guitar open this one before backing off into a softer concertina-based section to pave the way for Lupo's impassioned vocal. (8.5/10)

9. "Il Centro Sottile" (10:40) filled with (I think) intentional discordancies, the drums, bass, and Mellotrons bely simplicity and calm while the chords used and instruments out front display uncertainty and insecurity. Stunningly brilliance piano play in the fifth and sixth minutes before a wonderful instrumental part sets up the next vocal section. The piano and guitar chords and full bank of female background vocals give it such a classic feel. Then, all of a sudden, at the seven-minute mark we seem to switch gears and directions into a softer, more cohesive section, but the vocal and music eventually, subtly, turn back to the 8:23 an angular theme like the one used off-and-on in "Danza esoterica di datura" enters and morphs into an eerie carnival atmosphere for what appears to be the end (an extended blank section closes the song for the final minute.) Not sure of the significance of this last emptiness, but the song as a whole still packs quite a punch. Amazing! (19.5/20)

10. "Antidoto Mentale" (3:49) very melodic full-band foundation for Lupo to sing a pop power ballad-like vocal. There are even full bank of female background singers in the chorus parts! Powerful. (9/10)

Total Time: 57:23

A-/five stars; a minor masterpiece of retro RPI and one of the most amazing expositions of prog keyboard mastery you're likely to hear.