Un senso all'impossibile (La Maschera di Cera, 2006)

Among the many Fabio Zuffanti's projects, La Maschera di Cera found its way to my heart since their very first record. Even if I like all their works, my favourite one probably is "LuxAde", a concept album about Life and Death, loosely linked to the Greek myth of Orpheus. The whole album is a gem, IMHO, with the '70s taste that's this band's trademark, but the short suite "Un senso all'impossibile" (meaning "A Reason to the Impossible", some 10 minutes of length) is one of the most poetic and darkest symphonic tracks you can imagine.

"Luxade"was the band's third studio album.

This mini-suite is sharply divided into two sections called Teatro di follia and Il Ricordo ("Theatre of Madness" and "The Memory", respectively) There's an excellent main theme, a very melodic one, going through many variations and graced by a flute-driven arrangement. I also like the vintage keyboards sections, so close to my old Charterhouse friends, and still perfectly fresh and convincing. Despite the strong flute presence and the abundance of slow tempos, this track isn't a mellow one, and has a gloomy, suspended, original atmosphere. If you didn't know the band, that's an inviting gate to their music.

Another Friday Night (Hoggwash, 2007)

The Ukrainian keyboardist and singer Antony Kalugin, of Karfagen fame (see elsewhere in this blog), also created Hoggwash project, bringing on a somewhat easier side of prog, not too far from neo-prog sounds. This "Another Friday Night", taken from the album "The Last Horizon" develops such a musical concept in all its usual features and with the greatest care.

"The Last Horizon" was the debut album for Hoggwash.

The main theme is a captivating and melodic one, while the arrangements insist on modern key effects and a good deal of electric and acoustic guitars by Roman Philonenko, the band's co-leader. Some of the effects Kalugin displays here remind me of Polish band Collage, and the keen sound engineering surely is another strong point of this song. A pleasant listening, a well balanced track dealing with both vintage and contemporary prog, a humble and hopefully useful suggestion for my prog friends out there. 

Gates of Darkness 1 (Art Zoyd, 1995)

I confess that some avant-garde tracks are beyond my weak comprehension and my frail musical culture. This is also true for many Art Zoyd's songs, but not for this one. "Gates of Darkness 1" (a "Gates of Darkness 2" also exists in the same o.s.t. album) is an arcane, mysterious, suspended track, with deals of experimental sounds and weird chord series, but nonetheless it is a charming, riveting piece of music. The first part has even a well found theme, whose variations are definitely clever and perfectly arranged in a sort of crescendo leading to an abrupt end.

 

After Art Zoyd's successful projects, many other prog bands

composed music soundtracks for silent films.

The second section of the track is mostly experimental, introducing a drumming-driven, scary ambient sound, perfectly into the movie this soundtrack was created for, the original 1926 silent film "Faust" by Murnau (the band had previously released a soundtrack for "Nosferatu", also directed by Murnau). But you don't need to actually see the film to appreciate the deep darkness of this music, even if the visual content surely empowers the alienating effect of the track. This is not something to sing along, as you can imagine, but this is what I'd call music for the mind.

Karn Evil 9 (Emerson, Lake & Palmer, 1973)

This suite split into three Impressions over the two sides of the Brain Salad Surgery album is one of the most popular and representative tracks of ELP. Rich and diversified, this song is an enthralling specimen of keyboard driven rock, but, of course, the three members of the band are all at their best and play as one, something the band used to do in their brightest days. See how each Emerson's touch is perfectly stressed by the rythmic section and how Lake's vocals seem to act as an addictional instrument.

I'm sure I saw those three guys somewhere...

The first Impression shows the rock side of the band, while the second one is a free, experimental piece and the final installment focuses on the trio's symphonic grandeur. I think the reason why most ELP's fans are fond of "Karn Evil 9" is in its three sided nature, displaying all the main features of the band. However, this surely is a breathtaking song, full of energy and colours, dazzling and overflowing. In a word, ELP.

Oda al Tulipán (Frágil, 1981)

Here you are a band from Peru knowing how to mix symphonic and pop arrangements. Take as a tester this track of their debut album "Avenida Larco". It's a diversified, flushing, still well organised track, where all instruments find their place, with the beautiful addiction of horns. The lyrics in Spanish are among the weirdest ones in the usually weird domain of prog lyrics, so I'll leave their interpretation to my smartest prog friends. For sure,the title means "Ode to The Tulip", and that's saying something.

After "Avenida Larco", the band released three more studio albums.

Anyway, the music is the strongest point here. A very good theme, a series of well played solos, an effective keyboard background, a naive, joyful mood everywhere. Those qualities made of Frágil a popular band in their own Country and recommend more attention to their music worldwide.

Kuch Hai (Mizraab, 2004)

How many (metal) prog bands do you know coming from Pakistan? And how many good ones? May as it be, Mizraab are an excellent way into Karachi less known but interesting rock scene. As I'm not specially into prog metal, here you are a rather melodic song fron their concept album "Maazi, Haal, Mustaqbil " or, in Urdu alphabet, ماضی، حال، مستقبل , meaning "Past, Present, Future". I admire the suspenced mood of this track, and also the perfect mix of electric and acoustic guitars throughout the composition.

Mizraab are getting more and more popular in their own Country.

Even if this band has no keyboardist, the background effects are rich and arcane, with an intriguing pinch of Arab music inside. All the rest, however, is purely prog, paying respect to such masters as Rush and Dream Theater. That said, this band is highly original and offers its own blend of atmospheric, ethnic, bombastic and melodic rock. The composer, singer and guitarist Faraz Anwar surely has a lot of strong ideas, an eclectic voice and plays guitar very, very well, as the solos of this track will prove even to the most demanding prog lovers. Enjoy.

The Lie And The Liar (Ageness, 2009)

Pleasant, sweet but never sweetish, Ageness' music seems to me a sensible compronise between neo-prog melodies and symphonic rock arrangements. These Finnish musicians like IQ and Marillion, but also Rush and Genesis (Igeness would have been a perfect anagram of the latter), so their music is well balanced and doesn't sound monotone at all. I like their largos and the skilled guitar solos  by Speedy Saarinen (once again, nomen omen...).

This album came after an eleven years hiatus. It's the last one to date. 

But then, this is a mature track, coming from the band's fifth studio album,"Songs from The Liar's Lair", showing how much a well attended musical clockwork can be refined year after year. This doesn't mean Ageness are a cold hearted band: they always add the right dose of soul and emotions to their best songs - such as this one - and the vocal performance is an excellent way to succeed in this. A very good and captivating way to prog, I'd say.