Four years after their promising eponymous debut album the six piece Il Bacio Della Medusa released in 2008 their second album entitled Discesa Agl’Inferi D’Un Giovane Amante. Meanwhile, a violinist has replaced the saxophonist and the drummer annex keyboard player has extended his array of keyboards, especially the distinctive Hammond organ is now omnipresent. The twelve tracks on this conceptual second album sound more elaborate, more refined and dynamic than their promising debut CD. What a tension! We hear captivating breaks and changing atmospheres, strong solos on guitar and keyboards and very inspiring Italian vocals! A strong characteristic in the sound of Il Bacio Della Medusa is the ‘Holy Trinity’ of fiery guitar, swirling flute and powerful Hammond organ, especially in Ricordi Del Supplizio. Here the band sounds like a hot and heavy progressive jam session featuring Jon Lord on organ and Ian Anderson on flute . Splendid! Another strong element is the tension between the mellow parts: flute, acoustic guitar, grand piano, violin and warm vocals. However, you can also enjoy heavy interludes with bombastic keyboards, hard-edged guitar and raw vocals in Nostalgia, Pentimento E Rabbia and Nosce Te Ipsum : La Bestia Ringhia In Noi. The music alternates in many ways: grand piano, violin and pleasant vocals in Confessione D’Un Amante and a duet between saxophone and fiery guitar in E Fu Allora Che Dalle Fiamme Mi Sorprese Una Calda Brezza Celeste. You hear wonderful interplay between grand piano, violin and choir in the very moving Corale Per Messa Da Requiem. What an emotion this song evokes! ´The tears almost came to my eyes. As far as I am concerned, this album belongs to one of the best Italian prog rock CD’s I have heard in the previous ten years. I can say so, because I heard many, many albums in the last decade. Highly recommended! ****+ Erik Neuteboom (edited by Peter Willemsen) Where to buy? |
