The Rock Progressivo Italiano band Aliante offers a mixture of retro sounds with a modern and personal touch. Their third album “Destinazioni Oblique” was released on the historic Mellow Records label on August 24, 2022 and contains 10 tracks. Sweet piano notes open the album and the first track, “Il mondo di fronte,” unfolds with an interweaving of granite guitar riffs and synths. The rhythmical section is solid and enriched by tempo changes, while the guitar and keyboards duet in a long instrumental section that immediately immerses us in the album’s prog atmosphere. Softer openings and intricate passages enhance the band’s technique, which in the middle section envelops us with a Psychedelia-infused sound, then concludes with a prolonged, distinctly Prog solo. The flute opens “Frammenti di un giorno” characterised by a driving bass line and more linear drumming. The synth and guitar dialogue to perfection, creating Prog melodies that bring to mind the magical atmospheres of the golden years of Prog. A great deal of sounds blend, thanks to the use of numerous keyboards that give an electronic and modern touch to the sound, a continuous evolution of the central theme of the song, with refined and eclectic solo parts. “Home trip” is a slower moving track, enveloping the listener with a background of keyboards and wind melodies. A deep bass line and gentler drumming characterise the rhythm section, while softer Prog traits are mixed with Jazzy ones provided by the horns and keys. In a musical crescendo, the song increases in intensity, full of pathos in the melodies and solos. In the second part, the keyboards take the stage with a pompous organ, ending the track with an exceptional synth solo that made me jump out of my chair. The title track “Destinazioni oblique” is the shortest in duration, developed with delicate guitar arpeggios and a richly narrated vocal itense. Dreamy atmospheres characterise the intro of “Cartimandua,” leading us through the first two minutes, when the rhythm section and an intense melody on the horns kick in. the guitar offers a fine solo cue in the middle part, followed in the second part by a tempo change and the entrance of the synth. A track full of pathos, emotional and very refined. Guitar arpeggios and gentle violin notes open “Coda marea 04,” which then develops with elaborate textures. A constantly evolving rhythm section between continuous tempo changes and intricate passages, while solo inserts and symphonic openings follow one another enhancing the band’s technique. In the second part, a very technical solo by bacteria takes centre stage, followed by guitar and keyboard duets that lead us to the finale. “L’ultimo riflesso” is characterised by a long introductory part with a softer, dreamier atmosphere, which builds up to the middle part. With a change the intensity increases and the guitar offers an intense solo, which accompanies us to the end of the song, softer but full of pathos. The sounds of the digeridoo apron “La salita” an energetic and engaging track, with a solid rhythm section and fine duets between guitar and keyboards. Enriched by continuous tempo changes and solo synth phrasing first and then guitar, evolving the track’s central theme with technique and quality. In the middle part, the band offers a section enriched with electronic sounds and experimental passages, and then concludes in a very intense musical crescendo. Percussion and soft melodies open “Tra cielo e terra,” giving an oriental touch to the sounds. The intensity increases as the song progresses, showing a more modern facet of the band’s sound, combining electronic sounds with classic Prog. Keyboards take centre stage, giving a pompous touch in the song’s finale. The album ends with “I pomeriggi di Armida,” a track that combines classic Prog traits with forays into Jazz. Intense guitar solo inserts and tempo changes, softer openings and elaborate, highly refined phrasing round off the album nicely. An excellent instrumental progressive album where the band manages to create elaborate and very intense tracks, mixing different silos with their own personal touch. Long tracks in which they develop their markedly Progressive and very original musical concept, managing to bring the magical atmospheres of the past to the present day. A recommended listen for all lovers of classic Progressive sounds, with the ability to bring them into a modern and markedly personal context.
Tracklist
01. Il mondo di fronte (09:24)
02. Frammenti di un giorno (07:03)
03. Home trip (09:10)
04. Destinazioni oblique (03:17)
05. Cartimandua (09:10)
06. Coda marea 04 (06:04)
07. L’ultimo riflesso (07:42)
08. La salita (07:23)
09. Tra cielo e terra (09:03)
10. I pomeriggi di Armida (08:03)
Lineup
Davide Capitanio / Electric and Acoustic Guitars, Effects
Michele Lenzi / Keyboards, Bassoon, Acoustic Guitar, Flute
Alfonso Capasso / Bass, Effects
Jacopo Giusti / Acoustic & Electronic Drums, Didgeridoo
Guests:
Serena Andreini / Narration on “Destinazioni Oblique“
Marianna Vuocolo / Violin on “Coda Marea 04“