Italian multi-instrumentalist and composer Marco Ragni returns to the scene with “The Radical Act,” a work that not only solidifies his position in the contemporary Progressive landscape but also celebrates a now-historic artistic partnership. Released on June 05, 2026, the album marks the five-year milestone of collaboration with Bjørn Riis, the guitarist and mastermind behind Airbag, whose solo imprint has become an integral part of Ragni’s sonic DNA. The creative genesis of this work reflects the artist’s peculiar approach: Marco often conceives his records starting from the visual and narrative components—the cover and the story—writing lyrics and music only at a later stage. This “total” vision is also reflected in the physical edition of the disc, presented in an eco-digisleeve enriched by an eight-page booklet featuring original artwork curated by Ragni himself. Musically, the album benefits from a high-profile lineup that includes, beyond the aforementioned Ragni and Riis, the contribution of John Simms (Clear Blue Sky), the solid rhythm section of Michele Zappacosta and Maurizio Antonini, and the precious Hammond organ textures of Damien Griese. The album opens with the monumental title track, “The Radical Act.” Clocking in at nearly eleven minutes, the song serves as a programmatic manifesto for the entire work. The intro features a suggestive dialogue between organ and guitar, paving the way for a dynamic rhythm section rich in time signature changes that never feel gratuitous. Ragni’s voice, warm and expressive, enters after a wide instrumental section, guiding the listener through a sonic architecture ranging from Symphonic Prog to more dilated Psychedelic drifts. Here, Bjørn Riis’ guitar is free to expand, cutting through the mix with pathos-filled solos that masterfully intertwine with the keyboard layers. With the following “The Crack In The Sky,” the sound becomes more compact and direct, alternating Heavy Rock passages with airier Progressive openings. It is a piece that serves as an ideal bridge between European Prog traditions and modern sensitivity, where acoustic guitar arpeggios support enveloping vocal lines. Bjørn Riis returns to collaborate on “The Machine Grinds On,” bringing the album back to more elaborate territory. The track is characterized by a driving groove and incisive vocals that follow the rhythmic mutations. The symbiosis between Ragni and Riis is evident here: the interplay between guitars and synths creates a dense wall of sound, capable of evolving from gritty tones to moments of pure progressive abstraction. One of the emotional peaks of the record is undoubtedly “The Frequency Shift.” This track features a “pair of aces” on guitar: Bjørn Riis and the legend of Clear Blue Sky, John Simms. The opening is entrusted to dreamy arpeggios and a soft vocal, but the structure rapidly evolves into a muscular Heavy Prog. The finale is classic: Simms delivers an intensely emotional solo over an acoustic guitar base, transporting 70s Progressive vibrations directly into the heart of modernity. Marco Ragni’s more introspective side emerges in “The Ego Screams Back.” Built on an acoustic guitar foundation, the song steadily grows in intensity, transforming an intimate ballad into an instrumental cavalcade where the electric guitar takes over before returning to the initial quiet. This duality continues in “The Liminal Space,” a track that explores, as the title suggests, shadows and suspended spaces. The work on choral layering is meticulous here, creating an ethereal atmosphere that leads to a final rock catharsis, where every guitar note feels weighed to maximize emotional impact. The journey concludes with “The Radical Act (Epilogue).” Echoing the rarefied sounds of the previous track, the epilogue closes the work’s conceptual circle. A final solo accompanies the listener toward the end, where the reappearance of the electric guitar seals the album in a crescendo of intensity that fades away, leaving a sense of completeness. In conclusion, “The Radical Act” represents a significant step forward in Marco Ragni’s career. It is a fluid record, technical but never cold, capable of balancing the genre’s complexity with focused melodic writing. The international collaborations, far from being simple cameos, are perfectly integrated into the narrative flow, elevating the value of a tracklist that confirms Ragni as one of the most inspired interpreters of modern Italian Progressive Rock. It is essential listening for those seeking music capable of evoking emotion and reflection, suspended between the “schizofrenic century” and a new artistic awareness.
Tracklist
01. The radical act (Featuring Bjørn Riis) (10:57)
02. The crack in the sky (04:16)
03. The machine grinds on (Featuring Bjørn Riis) (07:01)
04. The frequency shift (Featuring Bjørn Riis and John Simms) (08:19)
05. The ego screams back (04:22)
06. The liminal space (04:44)
07. The radical act (Epilogue) (03:24)
Lineup
Bjørn Riis / Lead Guitar
Giovanni Ciarallo / Electric Guitar
Michele Zappacosta / Bass
Maurizio Antonini / Drums
Additional Musicians:
John Simms / Electric Guitar
Antonio Di Mirto / Acoustic Guitar
Damien Griese / Hammond organ, keyboard
Manuel Mant / Drums