Banco Del Mutuo Soccorso are one of the main bands of Italian Prog, world-famous and authors of some musical milestones. This year is the 50th anniversary of the famous ‘moneybox‘ record released in 1972 and one of the main records of 1970s Prog. They return three years after the previous “Transiberiana” with a concept entitled “Orlando: Le Forme dell’Amore” released on September 23, 2022 via InsideOut Music and containing 15 tracks whose theme is the famous poem by Ludovico Ariosto. The introductory “Proemio” is a delicate track with piano, acoustic guitar and vocals that immediately immerses us in the epic themes of the lyrics and the album’s symphonic prog music. The following “La Pianura Rossa” deals with an ever-present theme, the war for water, where the music and keyboard textures take us back to the sounds of the band’s early days. The song’s structure is elaborate, with a solid rhythm section enriched by continuous tempo changes, valuable and technical guitar and keyboard interlacing, and a very dynamic and expressive vocal with very intense and sophisticated lyrics. The piano and guitar open “Serve Orlando Adesso,” creating a dreamy atmosphere over which a warm and expressive vocal enters. A track with markedly symphonic and dilated sonorities enriched by the carpet of keyboards with a vocal that interprets the lyrics with pathos. “Non Mi Spaventa Più L’amore” returns to energetic and rhythmic sounds with an engaging rhythm section. A blend of Prog and Argentine Tango in a musical crescendo that captures the listener and makes him travel through time and space. Another lyrically very topical passage “Non Serve Tremare” deals with the torments of a woman fleeing a sexist society. The music alternates between more energetic and rhythmic passages and symphonic openings with intense and melodic vocal parts, another proof of refined songwriting. Lyrics that are also enhanced in the following “Le Anime Deserte Del Mondo” with excellent choral refrains and very intense verses. The song’s structure is solid and full of tempo changes with valuable solo keyboard inserts in the final part. Another cross-section of society, “L’Isola Felice” deals with the illusion of being able to obtain comforts and privileges without effort. Interweaving keyboards and guitar are fine, with a solid, granitic rhythm section and a dynamic vocal. “La Maldicenza” is an instrumental track that enhances the more technical side of the band’s sound and takes us back to the purest and most intricate sounds of the genre could not be missing. A track that encompasses different styles and influences with the keyboards playing the leading role with Vittorio‘s unmistakable imprint, and then closes with a dreamy finale made up of sweet arpeggios of chiatarra and piano. Between technique and symphonic passages, “Cadere O Volare” brings the band’s classic sounds to the present day and in a modern key. Intricate textures alternate with melodic vocal openings, energy and technique, pathos and melody, there are all the ingredients to make this track an intense cross-section of modern Prog. “Il Paladino” is the heaviest track on the album, with heavy tempo changes, entirely instrumental is enriched with time changes and solo keyboard and guitar textures of the highest level. Acting as a counterbalance to the previous “L’Amore Accade” is the album’s softest and dreamiest track, made up of gentle guitar and piano arpeggios and female vocals. “Non Credere Alla Luna” is a track unlike the others, after a long intro the band develops a very engaging Blues Rock. The vocal parts are passionately lyrical and the sax is an added value, offering unusual and beautifully crafted solo inserts, concluding by duetting with synth. In the best tradition of Prog, there could not fail to be a suite, the epic track “Moon Suite,” which exceeds 11 minutes in duration. The theme of the track is Astolfo’s journey in search of Orlando’s wits on the Moon. A masterpiece that alternates very intense and delicate sung parts with extended instrumental sections that enhance the technique of all the musicians in the band. tempo changes, solo textures and a pure Prog sound that brings tradition into a modern and original context. A softer, more linear passage “Come È Successo Che Sei Qui” brings the sound towards Italian music. More catchy and less intricate, melodic and steeped in sophisticated Pop, it is very intense and enhances the lyrics. The album closes with the passionate “Cosa Vuol Dire Per Sempre,” which describes the passion of those who find a soul mate, managing to love each other forever. It is a celebration of love in its purest sense, concluding by also quoting Catullus in the passage that says: “E mille baci ancora e di nuovo ancora cento e quando finirà questa breve luce insieme dormiremo un’unica notte ancora baci e ancora ancora cento.” A very intense album from beginning to end, with highly researched and refined lyrics and a sound that alternates technical and intricate passages with more Symphonic openings. Energetic tracks and other softer ones compose the tracklist of this concept rich in ideas, managing to bring the atmospheres of 70s Prog into a modern context giving new oxygen to the genre. A recommended listen to all lovers of Progressive music, a masterpiece and a very refined concept that combines music and literature at the highest level.
Tracklist
01. Proemio (2:13)
02. La Pianura Rossa (6:38)
03. Serve Orlando Adesso (4:52)
04. Non Mi Spaventa Più L’amore (5:01)
05. Non Serve Tremare (4:06)
06. Le Anime Deserte Del Mondo (5:01)
07. L’isola Felice (3:57)
08. La Maldicenza (6:17)
09. Cadere O Volare (5:09)
10. Il Paladino (2:52)
11. L’Amore Accade (3:42)
12. Non Credere Alla Luna (6:56)
13. Moon Suite (11:49)
14. Come È Successo Che Sei Qui (3:38)
15. Cosa Vuol Dire Per Sempre (6:48)
Lineup
Vittorio Nocenzi / Piano, Keyboards, Vocals
Filippo Marcheggiani / Guitar, Vocals
Nicola Di Già / Guitar
Marco Capozi / Bass
Fabio Moresco / Drums
Tony D’Alessio / Vocals