Macchina Pneumatica are an Italian band from Milan, formed in 2013 initially as an instrumental power trio. Later with the addition of Raffaele Gigliotti on guitar and vocals they changed their name and introduced lyrics in Italian. Their second album “Appartenenza” was released on September 02, 2022 via Black Widow Records and contains 6 medium-length tracks. The album opens with the title track “Appartenenza,” which immediately displays a heavy prog attitude with granitic guitar riffs and a solid rhythm section. The parts sung in Italian alternate more melodic passages with more aggressive ones, showing the dynamism of Raffaele’s voice. The tempo changes are an added value, and the instrumental parts are refined and with fine solo interlacing with keyboards in evidence. In the second part of the song, the guitar also comes to the fore, and then the singing returns and closes this high-impact opener. Electronic keyboard sounds open “Pazzo,” which has a darker atmosphere and a solid, slow-moving rhythm. The vocals are dynamic and expressive, while the song evolves with fine keyboard textures and continuous tempo changes, mixing various genres and styles of Prog. The choral refrains are engaging and the music increases in intensity as the minutes go by, alternating sung and instrumental parts with technique and quality. “Fuoco d’Agosto” begins with guitar arpeggios and a warm, expressive vocal, developing into a very elaborate track with refined guitar and keyboard interlacing. Engaging chorus-like choruses, instrumental sections in pure Prog style with keyboards in evidence and a heavy touch given by the guitar. The tempo changes are definitely an added value, and the solo parts take the sound to another level. The longest track on the album, “The Circle,” which reaches almost nine minutes, is entirely instrumental and shows a more technical side of the band. Long solo plots with refined keyboard-guitar interlacing, continuous tempo changes and the atmosphere of the 70s come alive in this track, managing to revive it with a personal and very current touch. Solid drumming and heavy guitar riffs open “Guaranteed Performance” to which keyboards intertwine. The vocals are energetic and very expressive and the tempo changes are very sophisticated, a mixture of progressive and heavy traits of the highest order. More aggressive parts are mixed with softer, melodic openings, with an excellent instrumental section in the second part that enhances the technique of the artists involved. The album ends with “Friday Night” featuring a dreamy piano and guitar intro, then developing into a track with hard guitar riffs and solid drumming. Returning to the band’s characteristic sounds, this track also combines tradition and innovation, Heavy and Prog traits, with an excellent vocal test that alternates with excellently crafted instrumentals. The instrumental section in the second half is very interesting and sophisticated, with tight and technical solos. Another excellent album produced by Italy’s Black Widow records, always adept at putting out top bands. This album is very intense and refined from start to finish, managing to bring back the more classic atmospheres of Italian Prog in a modern context with markedly personal traits. Heavy traits and purely Progressive passages merge to create a very energetic and engaging album. A recommended listen for all Progressive Rock lovers.
Tracklist
01. Appartenenza (05:54)
02. Pazzo (06:49)
03. Fuoco d’Agosto (08:00)
04. Il cerchio (08:58)
05. Rendimento Garantito (07:23)
06. Venerdì Sera (06:49)
Lineup
Raffaele Gigliotti / Vocals, Guitar
Carlo Fiore / Synth, Hammond, Piano
Carlo Giustiniani / Bass
Enzo Vitagliano / Drums