Leo Carnicella is an Italian-Venezuelan composer and keyboardist living in Germany who plays Progressive Rock with an Art-Rock and Symphonic imprinting. The debut album is a concept entitled “Super Sargasso Sea” containing six tracks including two suites, on which top artists from the world scene collaborate. The opening track “The Place Where Lost Things Go” is divided into 3 sections and starts with an atmospheric intro with keyboards and effects. Piano notes, deep bass lines and solid drumming, while the guitar enters with beautifully crafted solo interventions. The vocals are dynamic and expressive and intensely interpret the lyrics, a long track that combines the tradition of Prog with the artist’s modern and personal touch. Continuous tempo changes, elaborate passages and symphonic openings enhance the technique of the artists in the line-up. With more melancholic atmospheres and a more modern sound, “Conundrum” features a killer bassline and energetic drumming. The vocal is warm and expressive and adds a melodic touch to the track that shows the softer side of Leo‘s sound, enhancing the songwriting. An interesting instrumental section is developed in the middle part, concluding with the last verses and an atmospheric keyboard finale. “Tell You’re Mom I’m Not Coming Home” is a very intense and deep passage, mainly sung and with softer traits. A pleasant passionate song that softens the tone between the album’s most Progressive and intricate tracks. An interweaving piano and distorted guitar riffs open “Balance” featuring a solid rhythm section with a deep, driving bass line and solid drumming. The vocals are always dynamic, while the organ duets well with the guitar, which offers a fine solo acoustic insert. In the second part the synth takes the stage with a retro-flavoured solo, the vocal returns for the last verses and in the finale the track closes with a good instrumental section. The album’s shortest track “Oblivion” is an interlude with a keyboard background and acoustic guitar solo. The album ends with the epic suite “The Place Where Lost Minds Go,” which is over 13 minutes long and begins with a narrated vocal. Guitar and keyboard orchestrations characterise the intro and then develop into a solid rock track. Full of tempo changes and with the intensity increasing as the track progresses, the track takes on Progressive traits. Symphonic openings alternate with heavier passages, just as instrumental textures alternate with vocals with intense and passionate vocals. An excellent suite that enhances both the compositional and executive technique of the artists involved. A good, smooth-running album that blends different genres and styles with a pronounced Progressive matrix, good vocals and elaborate, high-quality instrumental parts. The atmospheres of the 70s are presented in a markedly personal and modern context, enhancing Leo’s songwriting. A recommended listen for all lovers of Prog Rock sounds with symphonic traits, intense and with a well-constructed and fluent tracklist.
Tracklist
01. The Place Where Lost Things Go (9:33)
I. Anomaly
II. Falling From Skies
III. The Unknown
02. Conundrum (5:55)
03. Tell You’re Mom I’m Not Coming Home (3:36)
04. Balance (4:40)
05. Oblivion (2:07)
06. The Place Where Lost Minds Go (13:37)
I. DMT
II. Fractals
III. Contact Through The Veil
IV. Awakenings
V. Transcendence
Lineup
Leo Carnicella / Keyboards, Moog, Mellotron, Vocals
Beledo / Guitars
Thomas Krampl / Guitars
Alexis Peña / Guest Vocals
Jan-Vincent Velazco / Drums
Tony Franklin / Bass
Martin Barre / Guitars (Special guest)
Purchase the album on Bandcamp: https://leocarnicella.bandcamp.com/album/super-sargasso-sea
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