In the early 90s, as a rookie prog reviewer, I got a cassette named Il Salto Del Falco by Italian band Lethe. And now, anno 2025, I got a CD named Il Cavaliere Inesistente by Italian band Lethe. In order to make sure this is the same Lethe I contacted the band on Facebook, and indeed it turned out to be the same Lethe. Unfortunately, prime mover Stefano Fornaroli (vocals, flute and percussion) had died in September 1994, due to leukemia, only a few months after Lethe had released its first CD Nymphae (1994) on the Italian Mellow Records label. Now Lethe sees the realization of the dream of Lethe's founder, Stefano Fornaroli, to whom this new album (2024) is dedicated. The current lineup contains new members Giacomo Balzarotti (lead vocals and backing vocals) and Serena Bruni (flute), and the 'Lethe veterans' Lorenzo Gervasi (keyboards), Pietro Paganelli (drums and percussion), Fabio Massimo Sanzo (electric bass and backing vocals) and Valerio Vado (guitars and effects). The new album also features two special guests: Alessandro Corvaglia (lead vocals and backing vocals in the songs Mura Di Fuoco) and Animali Cristiano, and Eleonora Mosca (lead vocals and backing vocals in several songs). After a few listening sessions I am more and more pleased with this first Lethe album in 30 years. The music succeeded to keep my attention for the entire running time, due to their pleasant and varied sound, very harmonic and melodic (like Barclay James Harvest). The 12 tracks are tastefully layered with flute, guitar and keyboards, a strong rhythm-section, and topped with inspired Italian vocals (male and female). I notice echoes from Peter Gabriel-Genesis, Marillion, Jethro Tull and Camel, and of course Classic Italian Prog, but Lethe also delivers a lot of their own fine musical ideas to keep the band from being too derivative. I am sure the late prime mover Stefano is delighted about this inspired and wonderful effort by Lethe, wherever he is ... My highlights. Mura Di Fuoco: Lots of flowing shifting moods, from a mid-tempo beat to bombastic, embellished with sound effects, sparkling flute, a moving guitar solo with howling runs and passionate Italian vocals (with theatrical tendencies). The music sounds accessible, melodic, harmonic, varied and tastefully arranged, this is trademark new Lethe. Animali Cristiani: First dreamy guitars and keyboards, soon joined by pleasant vocals. Then the atmosphere changes to more dynamic and bombastic featuring flute, intense guitar leads and powerful vocals. Halfway a dreamy climate with inspired female vocals, a very convincing presence. Then a break with harder-edged guitar, and strong interplay, in a mid-tempo beat with a pulsating bass. After a fine flute solo the mood shifts to mellow with twanging guitars and pleasant male vocals. Bradamante: This short piece contains acoustic guitar and flute, what a wonderful classical atmosphere. Nel Segno Della Croce: Lots of dynamics and tension, between dreamy and bombastic, and a varied instrumentation, from varied work on the flute, tender Grand piano and bombastic organ to rock guitar and twanging classical guitars. The music is topped with passionate vocals (including vocal harmonies) and culminates in a beautiful grand finale. Pagani: This exciting instrumental piece starts mellow with classical guitar and flute. Then halfway a sensational break with rock guitar and flute, to me it sounds like Rock Andaluz, how compelling, and what a great interplay between rock guitar and sparkling classical flute work, wow! L'Elmo D'Oro: The final composition delivers a lot of variety and fine musical ideas. First delicate acoustic guitar overdubs, soon joined by warm vocals, slightly more theatrical, and soft synthesizer flights. Then the sound of orchestral keyboards and howling electric guitar. Next a female choir sound. Now the music turns from a slow rhythm into a mid-tempo beat, topped with first spacey synthesizer runs and then rock guitar, in a bombastic climate, with powerful vocals, finally vocal harmonies, flute and rock guitar, a strong goodbye. ***+ Erik Neuteboom (edited by Dave Smith) Where to buy? |
