Moby-Dick is a novel by Herman Melville. Many people know the movie Moby Dick is based on the book. The 1956 released adventure film was directed and produced by John Huston. It stars Gregory Peck as Captain Ahab. Of course, people from the seventies remember the song with the same name released by Led Zeppelin on their second album titled Led Zeppelin II. During live performances it was the song with the drum solo played by the late John Bonham. And now you can also enjoy a progressive rock version of this story. Released by the Italian musician Marco Bernard. He is known as the bass player and the founding member of The Samurai Of Prog. Moby Dick is his second solo album and the follow-up to his debut The Boy Who Wouldn't Grow Up (see review), released in 2023. It is a double CD which includes the Prog concept Moby Dick and a bonus CD Undercover Deux featuring Marco's favourite covers. On the label's website you can read the following important statement, which I want to share with you before I start my review: "In a world that feels increasingly disconnected, Moby Dick is a reminder of the fundamental need for human connection. Inspired by Herman Melville's classic tale, this progressive rock album goes beyond the story of one man's obsession. It uses the hunt for the elusive white whale as a symbol of our own relentless pursuit of personal gain and success—often at the expense of what really matters: community, empathy, and emotional rebirth. The ocean, vast and mysterious, becomes a metaphor for the unknown and for the shared depths of our inner selves. Through a blend of intricate melodies, complex rhythms, and lyrics that cut deep, Moby Dick explores the tension between personal ambition and our deeper, sometimes forgotten, need for collective meaning. Each track ebbs and flows like the sea itself—at times crashing with intensity, at others rising and falling with serene reflection—always moving toward a central idea: rediscovering the connections that make us whole. In an era where isolation and division are all too common, Moby Dick offers a call for emotional renewal. Here, the whale is no longer a symbol of destruction, but of wisdom—a creature that guides us toward understanding, not just of ourselves but of each other. Just as the crew of the Pequod battles the dangers of the sea, we too must face the chaos of modern life. But the album suggests that we're not meant to face it alone. Let this album serve as a reminder that the pursuit of connection is the greatest journey of all—and that, by embracing the bonds between us, we can weather any storm. And above all, let it stand as a plea: the whales are not our enemies. Their survival is tied to ours. To kill them is to sever yet another vital link in the chain of life that sustains us all." Moby-Dick; or, The Whale is an 1851 epic novel by American writer Herman Melville. The book is centered on the sailor Ishmael's narrative of the maniacal quest of Ahab, captain of the whaling ship Pequod, for vengeance against Moby Dick, the giant white sperm whale that bit off his leg on the ship's previous voyage. The soundtrack to this epic story can certainly be called a success. Because together with the composers Alessandro Di Benedetti, Octavio Stampalia, Linus Kåse, Mimmo Ferri, Marco Grieco and David Myers he has created six excellent pieces of music featuring various guest musicians. Musically, the album moves between layered melodies, complex rhythms, and arrangements that alternate moments of rarefied lyricism with passages of great dramatic intensity. The whole album maintains a surprising narrative and timbral coherence. The variety of styles does not disrupt the flow. To give you a good impression of what to expect music wise I will go through the songs one by one. Loomings - Alessandro Di Benedetti has written a song on which Classical orchestral music is combined with beautiful progressive rock. A piece of music with excellent synthesizer (Di Benedetti) and guitar parts (Carmine Capasso). Lead singer Michael Trew (Moon Letters) does a great job here. The Quarter Deck - Octavio Stampalia wrote this tune which starts with the sound of the whale. It sometimes sounds a bit like a song taken from a musical. Excellent synthesizer parts (Stampalia) again which moves the song in the direction of Neo Prog. The strong vocals are done by Marcelo Ezcurra. Worth mention are also the strong violin parts done by former Samurai Of Prog member Steve Unruh. Fastfish, Loosefish - Linus Kåse wrote this one and also did the strong synthesizer parts on this rather up tempo tune. Steve Unruh returns on this composition and shines on vocals. The Quadrant - One of the longest pieces of music on the album. Written by Mimmo Ferri who was also responsible for the great organ, Mellotron and synthesizer parts. Trew is back on vocals again and does once again a great job. It contains beautiful flute parts performed by Giovanni Mazzotti. Certainly, one of the highlights on this excellent album! The Chase - One of my favourite composers for Samurai Of Prog wrote the longest track on this album. Namely Marco Grieco, who also was responsible for the fantastic keyboard parts. Tony Riveryman shines here on the electric guitar. Unruh is back on vocals again and moves the song sometimes into the direction of a rock opera or musical. Another highlight without any doubt! Epilogue - The short bonus track which you can't find on the vinyl version. A piano/ bass instrumental like we used to have on early Samurai Of Prog albums. David Myers on grand piano and Marco Bernard on Shuker bass. Before you can enjoy the fantastic playing of both musicians you are welcomed by the the sound of the waves. Which also ends this short tune. Complements to Marco Bernard for creating a fantastic album in which you hear musical styles taken from classical music, rock operas, musicals and neo prog. On his second solo effort he comes closer to the musical style of the Samurai Of Prog compared to his debut. Therefore, it is easy to determine that Moby Dick is an extension of their albums. If you like the Samurai Of Prog this release should be in your collection. Cover designer Ed Unitsky and the Samurai Of Prog are of course undeniably involved with each other. Therefore, it comes as no surprise that we can once again enjoy his imaginative drawings. Once again, the artwork is terrific. It is displayed on a gatefold cover and unparalleled in visual richness, symbolic coherence, and aesthetic impact. He managed to translate the album's profound imagery into images, making every detail an integral part of the narrative experience. The title second album Undercover Deux, of course refers to the first undercover album released by the Samurai Of Prog which set everything in motion for this musical project back in 2011 with Undercover (see review). This time around it is his personal and affectionate tribute to songs that have shaped him as a musician. The first two songs Anthem (Rush) and Good Times Bad Times (Led Zeppelin) showed that he was just like myself in the seventies influenced by hard rock. It's unbelievable how the lead singers Sean Francis and Steph Honde on those tunes are coming close to the voices of the original bands. Frank Zappa did not do much for me but it must have impressed Marco at the time because he covered his composition Uncle Remus. AOR bands such as Boston had an impact on him too because you can enjoy their song Foreplay / Long Time. Again, here the singer, which is Len Audsley, impressed me on this tune. It's gets really proggy after that with In The Dead Of Night (UK). Tony Riveryman does an amazing guitar solo. It goes into the direction of Latin music with influences of fusion and jazz rock on Race With The Devil On A Spanish Highway (Al Di Meola). German drummer Hans Jörg Schmitz steals the show here with his fast playing. But also Riveryman and Grieco show how fast they are on their instruments. Back to true prog with Impressioni Di Settembre (PFM). A composition which was massively popular in Italy when Marco was a young fellow. Riveryman (electric guitar) and Grieco (acoustic guitar, vocals, keyboards) once again team up to make it a great cover. They make the ending a true prog anthem. The cover album ends with Stories Of The Sea. An original composition by Marco Grieco based on a bass solo by Michael Manring. This instrumental feature excellent parts done by both musicians on the bass and synthesizers. Riveryman also contributes with great guitar parts. Well done Marco. I loved every minute of music on both CDs. Therefore, this release is highly recommended to all lovers of progressive rock. Fans of the Samurai Of Prog can buy it without listening. Others might have to check it out first like they usually do before buying something. But I can tell you that you don't have to do this. Another progressive rock highlight released in 2025! Do I need to say more? I don't think so. Enjoy with me the epic story of the whale who was chased by a captain who could not forget what it did to him. But he only defended himself! **** Henri Strik (edited by Dave Smith) Where to buy? |
