CANOSSA "ROCK OPERA"

This is an Italian prog project by Mangala Vallis member Gigi Cavalli Cocchi, he is both the brainchild as the producer. The story (I did my best to translate the Italian because the English version was out of function) is about the small village Canossa in the Italian provence Reggio Emilia. An imiginary visitor of the Canossa Castle tells in the warm and passionate Italian language the more than 1000 year old history in 7 short interludes with spoken words, the other 7 parts are tracks by 7 different (mainly uknown) Italian progrock bands. After the first interlude with a Vangelis-like keyboard intro and the first spoken words, the known band Mangala Vallis starts with an alternating, classic Seventies prog rooted sound, from dreamy with twanging guitar to mid-tempo with fiery guitar and bombastic with lush Hamond and flashy synthesizer flights. The other six bands sound pleasant and varied: melodic and moving with female vocals and a strong final part including howling electric guitar runs by Trama Sonora, heavy symphonic, romantic inspired prog with warm vocals, lots of variety and in the end a sensational keyboard solo by Sequencer, a long piece with a tight beat, sumptuous keyboards and omnipresent, fiery electric guitar by Arcanoise, a heavy and dynamic sound with strong hints from early King Crimson delivering Fripperian guitar and a propulsive rhythm-section by Type, pleasant and alternating (dreamy, compelling, mid-tempo, bombastic) with passionate vocals and a spectacular synthesizer solo by Oltremare and finally Master Experience: a dynamic atmosphere featuring fiery guitar, a psychedelic organ sound and intense vocals. The final part delivers soli on organ and guitar.

I am sure this very pleasant and varied sounding project will please many prog fans, especially those who love the classic Seventies symphonic prog featuring lots of vintage keyboards like Hammond, Moog and Mellotron. Four stars because it's a wonderful project, I love this kind of music and it's an excellent addition for the symphonic prog aficionados, highly recommended!