Formed in the early 1970s and long celebrated as one of the pioneers of Rock Progressivo Italiano, Celeste returns with “Anima Animus,” a purely instrumental journey across eight expansive compositions. Led by multi-instrumentalist Ciro Perrino, the band is joined by Enzo Cioffi (drums), Francesco Bertone (bass/fretless bass), Marco Moro (flutes), and Mauro Vero (acoustic & electric guitars), plus a guest ensemble of saxophonists, vocalists, and percussionists to flesh out their Symphonic vision. The title-track ushers us into the album with a masterful blend of symphonic prog and cinematic textures. A recurring Mellotron motif weaves through intricate guitar counterpoints, while brass and woodwinds add a cool, Jazz-inflected elegance. Over its eight-plus-minute runtime, Celeste builds a gradual crescendo—each layer of keyboards, flute, and guitar entering with measured purpose before coalescing in a climactic, orchestral exposition. “Roots And Leaves” digs into a complex rhythmic framework, marked by deft tempo shifts and syncopated drum patterns. Here the woodwinds take center stage: flutes and saxes trade fluid melodic lines, then step back to spotlight Perrino’s cascading keyboard arpeggios. The track’s Jazz-leaning undercurrents keep the listener guessing, even as the band’s tight interplay grounds the piece in Progressive Rock tradition. Opening on shimmering synth pads and understated percussion, “Cosmic Carnival” quickly acquires momentum through an inventive blend of electronic drumming and a driving bassline. The piece alternates between expansive, dreamlike passages—where strings-like Mellotron chords swirl—and punchy, groove-oriented sections. This duality of cinematic sweep and rhythmic propulsion demonstrates Celeste’s skill at balancing atmosphere with forward motion. Drawing its name from Lucretius’s philosophical poem, “De Rerum Natura” unfolds as Celeste’s most ambitious track on the album. A delicate piano-keyboard duet opens the track, evoking a meditative calm before the full band surges in with a spirited, chorus-like motif. The composition pivots between lush orchestral flourishes and introspective, Jazz-tinged interludes—each seamlessly transitioning into the next, as though tracing nature’s own cycles. “Lilith” introduces the first vocal textures, though without lyrics: ethereal wordless choirs hover beneath electronic keyboard drones. As the track progresses, it shifts into more aggressive territory, recalling elements of Kosmische Musik with its hypnotic synth pulses. A flute solo emerges midway, its pastoral warmth contrasting with the track’s more Experimental edges, and a final saxophone flourish brings the piece to a rousing conclusion. Percussion, enriched with tape-delay effects, sets a mysterious stage for “El Mundo Perdido.” Sparse keyboard chords drift through the mix before the song builds into a luminous crescendo, culminating in a tender, wordless chorus that echoes the closing of “Lilith.” The result is a poignant, almost cinematic finale that underscores the album’s recurring theme of exploration—both external and inner. Veering back toward traditional Prog-Rock territory, “Secret Crime” layers Perrino’s warm piano lines with bold horn stabs and punchy rhythm guitar. The interplay between flute, sax, and keyboard creates a dialogic texture, while the rhythm section’s tight grooves propel the track through its shifts from suspenseful verses to anthemic refrains. Closing the album is its longest opus, a symphonic tour de force spanning over twelve minutes. Every instrument—from bass clarinet to Hammond organ—joins in a majestic, choral-like arrangement. Extended solos give each musician space to shine, yet the composition never loses its forward momentum. As drums and percussion guide the piece toward its final summit, the sense of communal uplift is palpable—a fitting capstone to “Anima Animus.” With “Anima Animus,” Celeste reaffirms their status as torchbearers of Italian symphonic prog, masterfully fusing Jazz, Electronic, and Orchestral influences into a cohesive whole. This album is a must for aficionados of instrumental Progressive Rock who appreciate both vintage textures and modern production. Ciro Perrino and his ensemble have delivered one of 2025’s most compelling voyages into the soul (anima) and spirit (animus) of their craft.
Tracklist
01. Anima Animus (8:40)
02. Roots and Leaves (5:40)
03. Cosmic Carnival (6:59)
04. De Rerum Natura (9:03)
05. Lilith (6:32)
06. El Mundo Perdido (6:44)
07. Secret Crime (6:25)
08. Moon and Cloud Dancing (12:01)
Lineup
Ciro Perrino / Mellotron, Eminent, Solina, Oberheim Oba, Minimoog, ARP 2600, EMS AKS, Percussion
Enzo Cioffi / Drums
Francesco Bertone / Bass, Fretless Bass
Marco Moro / Flute, Alto Flute, Bass Flute
Mauro Vero Chitarre / Acoustic and Electric Guitars
With:
Ines Aliprandi / Lead Vocals
Marco Canepa / Piano
Mirco Rebaudo / Soprano Sax, Alto Sax, Tenor Sax, Baritone Sax, Clarinet
Paolo Maffi / Soprano Sax, Alto Sax, Tenor Sax
Enrico Allavena / Trombone, Bass Tuba
Davide Mocini / 12 Strings Guitar (3,6)
Marco Fadda / Percussion