THE COLOSSUS OF RHODES

This double cd concept album is based on the movie of the same name that was directed by Sergio Leone.The project was broken down into 12 parts with each of these six band doing two consecutive sections worth about 25 minutes in music time. So six long tracks with a cartoon in the liner notes along with all the lyrics and a photo of each band.There are four bands from Italy in GREENWALL, MAD CRAYON, LEVIATHAN and REVELATION, with VELVET DESPERADOS (Finland) and SINKADUS (Sweden) rounding out the lineup. I'd like to say straight up that SINKADUS is the reason I bought this several years ago. I was very interested in hearing something new from the band besides the two studio albums i've played to death, and I wasn't disappointed as they are by far the highlight of this recording.

LEVIATHAN gets things started and the song opens with the sound of seagulls and water as flute comes in. It kicks in before 2 minutes and vocals follow. Keys and drums standout along with those vocals. A good instrumental section begins before 6 minutes. A change before 17 1/2 minutes as synths pulse and drums beat.It's fuller 20 minutes in and a great sound follows. A good start.

GREENWALL is up next and we get male and female vocals on this one. Piano, strings and aboe help out as well. A pretty good effort but not as good as the opener. Next is SINKADUS and the surprising thing is that it really doesn't sound like them until about 12 minutes in then we get that familiar sounding soundscape that is some powerful shit. By the way the song opens with atmosphere as the guitar echoes which is very unlike them.The mellotron on this track is very much like them though and we get plenty of that.The vocals return 14 1/2 minutes in and this sounds so good ! Some beautiful guitar follows then it kicks in hard at 17 minutes.

MAD CRAYON does a great job with their track.Some heaviness here at times and I like the organ. Some ripping guitar before 13 minutes as well. The VELVET DESPERADOS' track is my least favourite. Not big on that bluesy section 12 1/2 minutes in.These guys aren't on the site here and neither are the next band REVELATION not to be confused with the band on this site with the same name but from the UK. These Italians do a very good job actually and i'd probably rate this as my second favourite track.They're GENESIS-like overall with some excellent guitar and organ work. Mellotron and flute on this one as well.

Overall nothing more than 3 stars but it sure has it's moments. SINKADUS made me proud.