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Inferno (1972)Genres: progressive rock, heavy progressive, dark progressive |
This is a concept album, based on Dante’s “La divina commedia”. The sound is dominated by keyboards (moog, hammond, piano and celesta). Keyboard prog usually does not excite me that much, but this is different. Do not let the comparisons with ELP fool you; the focus of this album is not on keyboard wanking but on strong composition and melody. There are some really powerful, and good, keyboard themes on the album, but the bombast of ELP is fortunately not here. Even though the keyboard themes are powerful they can barely keep up with the majestic voice of the singer, Jimmy Spitaleri. He sings in a semi-operatic way that reminds slightly of Bancos singer, but Spitaleri’s voice are darker and more powerful. Spitaleri adds so much power and beauty to the album that it is hard to imagine how it would sound like with another singer. It would not be half as good, I am sure. There are a couple of minor flaws here as well. Firstly, I find the synth sound somewhat dated (on this, as well as most other releases). Secondly, there is some really horrible "oooooohing" going on on track five. The latter flaw is common on Italian releases and I haven't got a clue why. These are, however, just minor flaws. By the way: A reviewer on Gibraltar claims that the album contains rock versions of the national anthems of the Soviet Union and the USA, but do not be intimidated by that horrible thought. These “rock versions” last about twenty seconds each and they are probably just a remark on where the band thinks the leaders of those countries belong.
Keyboard driven dark and heavy progressive rock dominated in many ways by Davide Spitaleri’s mighty voice. The keyboards include organ, piano, spinetta (harpsichord) and synthesizer. Some say the synthesizer sounds are dated but I think they fit very well for the most of the time and they don’t sound dated to me; otherwise often the case with synthesizers. The bass player also handles the guitar playing so the guitar parts comes sparsely but strategically precise, done with almost magic touch. The music is heavy and dark, majestic and progressive, and above all this album is a real gem. Their sound might bring to mind Museo Rosenbach and their “Zarathustra” album, but “Inferno” is even heavier and darker than that album. This is simply a work of absolute top class, not much to complain about, but as the other reviewer has pointed out, there’s some Italian “ooooing” going on for a short while. Essential for the lover of this style: dark, heavy and grandiose progressive rock.
