
Ellesmere, a Symphonic Prog creature founded and led by the Italian multi-instrumentalist Roberto Vitelli, author of all the music and lyrics, surprisingly returns to the scene just one year after the second album “Ellesmere II/From sea and beyond” with a work which impresses in terms of freshness, energy, impact and meticulous attention to sounds and arrangements.
“Wyrd” can be admired first of all starting from the cover artwork, by Rodney Matthews, an iconic illustrator of equal caliber to that of the legendary Roger Dean. Musically it continues on the same territories as the previous album, so the reference names remain the classics Yes, King Crimson, Kansas, with the addition of a good dose of Jazz Rock, present in every song; but there is no lack of references to contemporary Progressive Rock and to artists such as Transatlantic, Flower Kings and Spock’s Beard. “Wyrd” is therefore an epic and exciting third chapter even more than the previous one, almost completely instrumental and engaging from the first to the last minute.
As per tradition, “Wyrd” also boasts a long list of illustrious guests: Mattias Olsson (Änglagård, White Willow / drums), Tomas Bodin (The Flower Kings / keyboards), David Cross (King Crimson / violin), John Hackett (brother of the famous Steve Hackett and constant presence in his solo records / flute), David Jackson (Van der Graaf Generator, Osanna / saxophone), Tony Pagliuca (Le Orme / keyboards), Luciano Regoli (Raccomandata Ricevuta Ritorno / voice), Fabio Liberatori (Loy & Altomare, Lucio Dalla, Ron / keyboards), Fabio Bonuglia (keyboards) and Giorgio Pizzala (vocals).
In a path of musical and stylistic evolution that had as its starting point the acoustic and pastoral prog of “Les Châteaux De La Loire” (2015), we hope that “Wyrd” is not a point of arrival, but a passage towards new unexplored shores!
Papersleeve CD edition with 24x36cm mini-poster.
Purchase the album through Bandcamp:
Tracklist:
1.Challenge
2.The Eery Manor
3.Endeavor
4.Ajar
5.Endless