La Bocca Della Verità -
Avenoth


(CD 2016,79:50, Fading Records FAD025)

The tracks:
  1- Intro 2161(2:06)
  2- Ouverture(2:03)
  3- Contro Luna E Luce(4:11)
  4- La Suite Dei Tre Pianeti(17:43)
  5- Avenoth(8:12)
  6- La Festa(3:59)
  7- Antico(2:29)
  8- La Deportazione Degli Avenothiani(9:55)
  9- La Rivolta - Il Massacro Dei Terrestri(12:55)
10- Perduto Avenoth(5:48)
11- Reprise (Speranze Distorte)(10:23)

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La Bocca Della Verita is the next new name from the Italian progressive rock scene.
A band which was founded in Rome in 2001 and at that point in the history of the band they were like most other Italian progressive rock acts at first mainly a cover band. Doing the music of the classical Italian bands such as Banco and PFM. But also British bands like Genesis, Pink Floyd or ELP were in their repertoire. Like most acts which started doing songs from others they started working on their own compositions as well. This resulted in the end in the release of their debut Avenoth. Released towards the end of 2016 and therefore picked up by most people in 2017.

Let me first introduce the members in the band. They are Jimmy Bax (keyboards and vocals), Massimo Di Paola (keyboards and backing vocals), Fabrizio Marziani (lead vocals, guitars and flute), Roberto Bucci (lead guitar, backing vocals), Ivan Marziani (drums and percussion) and Guglielmo Mariotti (bass bass pedals, guitars and backing vocals). Moreover a list of guest musicians can be mentioned as well. Together they have come up with an album which grabbed me by the throat right from the start I played it. The style of music which can be heard on their compositions can be labelled as retro progressive rock. In every way they look back at the beautiful musical period of progressive rock released in the seventies. All of the bands they covered at first can be heard on this almost 80 minutes long album. But also acts such as Yes and King Crimson could have been an inspiration for the musicians. The two keyboard players easily step into the footsteps of Tony Banks, Rick Wakeman and the late Keith Emerson. Also the bassist knows how to sound like the late Chris Squire. As for the lead guitarist it wasn't easy to compare him with anyone. But he comes close to Steve Hackett and Robert Fripp.

Like most bands in the seventies La Bocca Della Verità delivers a real concept album. Avenoth tells a science fiction story in the form of a fictional diary of a space ship commander. The story begins in 2161. The earth has become virtually uninhabitable due to climate change and wars. This means a new home has to be found. An expedition is being launched, which over the years visits different planets. But unfortunately all of them are unsuitable to inhabit. However, after many years the expedition reaches an a planet like earth. Avenoth is the name of the planet and they are welcomed in a friendly way. Among the expedition participants there is a dispute and they are to exploit the resources of the new planet quickly. The inhabitants are enslaved and are forced to do labour. In the end this leads to a revolt against the invaders. There only way out is to get back to earth. A final look from the space ship shows that the planet's environment is destroyed. I guess we all have a lesson to learn from this story!

The music that comes along with this concept story has everything which makes the heart beat of a lover of progressive rock gets faster and faster every time they play this great album. The only problem could be that everything is sung in Italian and therefore the story can't be understood for those who are not capable to understand this language. As for myself this isn't a problem at all. As long as the music is brilliant there are for me no boundaries. Just enjoy the awesome progressive rock music with lots of tempo chances and great instrumental parts performed on the guitars and keyboards. The balance between up tempo tunes and slow parts is fine and therefore enough variety is available. With no weak compositions on the entire album you know you are going through a musical rollercoaster where there is hardly time to come up for air.

When an album grabs you by the throat you know that only the highest score must be given. This is also the case with Avenoth. La Bocca Della Verità's debut is for me personally a true masterpiece. Words could hardly describe what I heard on this incredible album. Highly recommended to those who adore the progressive rock made in the seventies. One of the best albums I have heard in years and one which might be heading for album of 2017 even if it was released late 2016!

***** Henri Strik (edited by Tracy van Os van den Abeelen)

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