Emerging as one of the most compelling voices in the contemporary Italian Progressive Rock landscape, Hora Prima returns after four years with their sophomore effort — a conceptual opus that builds upon and surpasses their impressive debut. Released on July 04, 2025, via Ma.Ra.Cash Records, this self-titled album features six expansive compositions plus a bonus track, weaving profound reflections on humanity’s relationship with technology, artificial intelligence, and the encroachment of machines into creative domains. As the band states, the album explores the complex intersection of human existence and technological progress, questioning our ties to religion, spirituality, and modern myths. It is a journey toward rediscovering human roots, biological truths, and the intelligence of the body — a call for conscious presence that dismantles the illusions of consumerist existence and social “assembly lines.” The album opens with its longest piece, “Uomo Ancestrale (Primordio)” (Ancestral Man – Primordium), which immediately defines the sonic and conceptual trajectory of the work. A warm and expressive vocal presence emerges within melodic contexts that evoke the early ‘70s Italian Progressive tradition, anchoring the album in a rich sense of heritage. The intricate interplay of guitars and keyboards, supported by an elaborate yet solid rhythm section, unfolds through continuous tempo changes and thematic developments in pure Italian Progressive style. The second movement of this composition highlights the band’s compositional and instrumental mastery, offering remarkable instrumental passages where guitar and keyboard lines engage in sophisticated, emotive dialogues. The journey continues with “Intelligenza Artificiale” (Artificial Intelligence), a nostalgic reflection on the analog conquests of humanity in contrast to modern technological dominance. The band builds a dense, granite-like Progressive sound, where firm guitar riffs blend with intricate keyboard arrangements. While retaining Symphonic sensibilities, the track introduces heavier, more technical elements, bringing Classic Prog complexity into a fresh, contemporary context. “Deus Ex Machina” extends beyond six minutes, opening with Experimental Electronic soundscapes reminiscent of Kosmische Musik and Krautrock’s more Ambient explorations. Through a masterful crescendo, the piece transitions toward Jazz-inflected Progressive structures, full of tempo shifts and refined phrasing. Individual and collective technical brilliance shines through elegant solos and rich arrangements. The concise “Delirium Omnibus” begins with powerful guitar work and incisive vocals over a more straightforward Rock rhythm, offering a moment of relative simplicity between the album’s more complex pieces. Even here, the band soon returns to Progressive territory, balancing accessibility with sophistication. “Diari Dalla Quarta Dimensione” (Diaries from the Fourth Dimension) immerses listeners in a lyrical and Atmospheric journey that bridges vintage Progressive sonorities with the band’s modern voice. The interplay of guitars and keyboards, expressive vocals, and dynamic rhythm work culminate in instrumental passages that will undoubtedly resonate with fans of classic Italian Prog. The album closes with “Al Khwarizmi,” a piece enriched with Jazz-Fusion elements and ethnic nuances. Here, melodic interplay and spirited solos affirm the band’s artistic maturity, blending prog traditions with fusion intensity in a seamless, engaging structure. As a bonus, “Le Roi Soleil” (The Sun King) channels influences like Gentle Giant while remaining unmistakably personal. Elaborate arrangements and dynamic shifts showcase a band capable of honoring their inspirations without mere imitation, asserting their own identity with confidence and style. Hora Prima’s second album confirms the promise of their debut and solidifies their place in today’s Italian progressive rock scene. This is a work that respects tradition while carving its own path — a concept album that is as thematically thought-provoking as it is musically refined. Essential listening for all devotees of classic Italian Prog, Hora Prima offers mature compositions, rich instrumental interplay, and lyrics that speak to the challenges of human existence in the technological age — all wrapped in the timeless language of Progressive Music.
Tracklist
01. Uomo Ancestrale (Primordio) (08:34)
02. Intelligenza Artificiale (04:32)
03. Deus Ex Machina (06:16)
04. Delirium Omnibus (04:04)
05. Diari dalla quarta dimensione (04:12)
06. Al Khwarizmi (04:33)
07. Le Roi Soleil (Bonus Track) (06:27)
Lineup
Francesco Bux / Drums, Synth, and Vocals
Domenico De Zio / Guitar
Roberto Gomes / Keyboards and Vocals
Roberto Di Lernia / Bass and Vocals
Andrea Catalano / Vocals