DISCENDENZE

From La Spezia comes this interesting Italian band, found in 1988 by drummer Federico Ruoppolo, keyboardist/singer Fabrizio Sicuteri, bassist Fabio Menoni and guitarist Davide Maucci.While they started as a cover band, Ancestry soon turned to a band performing original tracks, they even had a demo out in early-90's.Unfortunately they were unlucky, as gigs were hard to come due to frequent technical troubles, while in 1992 the band fell in hiatus after the sudden loss of Maucci and the departure of Menoni.However in late-90's the original duo of Ruopollo/Sicuteri returned with new members Fabio Venturini (guitar) and Dario Sommi (bass).Sommi left Ancestry in 2001 to be replaced by Maurizio Bellofiore and the band's first album ''Discendenze'' became reality in 2003 through Mellow Records.

The sound of Ancestry is deeply rooted in 70's Classic Prog and they seem to be influenced by both the Italian and British Progressive Rock scene with a style reminiscent of CAMEL, GENESIS, CONSORZIO ACQUA POTABILE or SITHONIA.They even chose to open their debut with the ambitious 17-min. epic ''I Colori dell'età sorgente'', which is just a proof of how talented this band was.Solid and tight Symphonic Rock with occasional Neo Prog touches in the synth parts, very delicate, smooth but also containing some dynamic interplays here and there.Great guitar work, long synth introductions, beautiful Italian vocals, romantic melodies and tight performances complete a great effort by the group.The rest of the album contains semi-long compositions, always performed under the Neo/Symphonic Rock umbrella, and containing sharp synths, deep bass, fantastic vocal lines and some lovely piano paces next to Venturini's solid guitar parts.These compositions are mostly mellow with an intense melodic content much in the vein of ATON'S.Another epic piece will close the album and this is the 12-min. ''Verso l'esterno''.Impressive smooth Italian Prog with great and dreamy keyboard parts, careful guitar leads, Classical piano textures and impressive vocals, so add another winner in the tracklist.

The traces of the band had been lost since 2004, time was unfairly wasted, but more recently Ancestry returned with the recordings of some new tracks during the summer of 2012. hopefully the the band will surprise us again with a sophomore work full of well-crafted Italian melodies.

This is pretty solid Italian Symphonic Rock with total absence of weak tracks, confident performances, interesting arrangements and superb vocals, that will satisfy all fans of bands such as CONQUEROR, SITHONIA, IL CASTELLO DI ATLANTE, CONSORZIO ACQUA POTABILE or RANDONE.Strongly recommended...3.5 stars.