With “VI – …And Thus The End,” Vincenzo Ricca brings to a majestic close one of the most ambitious conceptual journeys in Progressive Rock history. Since 2012, The Rome Pro(G)ject has chronicled the rise and fall of Ancient Rome across six albums, assembling a stellar constellation of Prog legends, including Steve Hackett, David Jackson, Bernardo Lanzetti, Tony Levin, Billy Sherwood, Franck Carducci, and Paolo Ricca. This final chapter stands as a testament to Ricca‘s unwavering artistic vision and compositional mastery. What began as a single-album collaboration with Hackett evolved into a musical observatory of Progressive Rock, revitalizing careers, forging artistic synergies, and creating a coherent narrative across 57 nearly all-instrumental tracks. The saga concludes with six new compositions that capture both the grandeur of Rome’s millennia-spanning history and the sophisticated evolution of contemporary Prog Music. The album opens with “VI (Six),” where Vincenzo Ricca’s keyboards set a rich, atmospheric foundation. Paolo Ricca’s electric guitar lines interweave seamlessly with Tony Levin’s bass and Chapman Stick, while Sylvester “Pammy” Budd’s drumming provides precise, dynamic propulsion. The intricate layers of guitars and keyboards establish a balance between vintage Prog sensibilities and a modern sonic palette, immediately immersing the listener in Ricca’s ambitious vision. In “We Wandered,” Bernardo Lanzetti’s expressive vocals guide the narrative, supported by Franck Carducci’s bass and Ricca’s keyboards. The lyrics evoke journeys through uncharted lands, battles, and timeless heritage. David Jackson’s subtle wind textures add depth, while the instrumental sections expand progressively, culminating in crescendos that highlight the ensemble’s virtuosity and dynamic control. At the core of the album lies “1229 Years,” the saga’s longest track at over 28 minutes. Steve Hackett’s guitar lines articulate melodic sophistication, complemented by David Jackson’s winds, Paolo Ricca’s electric guitar, and Franck Carducci’s bass. Ricca’s keyboards provide harmonic and atmospheric cohesion, and Budd’s drums maintain precise timing through the constantly evolving sections. The track’s tempo shifts, intricate instrumental dialogues, and extended passages demonstrate the ensemble’s collective mastery and Ricca’s compositional ingenuity, making it a pinnacle of contemporary progressive composition. “Far from Home” begins with Paolo Ricca’s arpeggiated guitar motifs and Ricca’s organ textures, gradually building into a layered arrangement that features Steve Hackett on guitar and Billy Sherwood on bass. Ricca’s vocal performance integrates seamlessly into the complex instrumental framework, balancing modern and retro Prog atmospheres with subtle 1980s influences. The result is a nuanced and compelling track where each musician’s contribution is both distinct and cohesive. “Ad Gloriam Romae” presents grandiose synthesizer melodies and intricate guitar work from Paolo Ricca and Hackett, supported by Billy Sherwood’s bass and Budd’s precise drumming. Carducci’s 12-string guitar enriches the harmonic texture, while Jackson’s wind instruments provide melodic and atmospheric flourishes. The composition merges historical prog aesthetics with contemporary touches, achieving an impressive balance of virtuosity, ensemble interplay, and melodic resonance. The title track, “…And Thus The End,” serves as a brief, reflective coda. Tony Levin’s bass and Paolo Ricca’s guitar accompany Ricca’s keyboards, crafting a delicate and contemplative atmosphere that allows the epic journey to close with subtlety and elegance, demonstrating Ricca’s understanding of restraint and musical narrative. The bonus track, “Over 2,000 Fountains 2025,” revisits early material co-composed with David Cross. This updated version features Cross on electric violin, Carducci on 12-string guitar and bass, and Luca Grosso on drums, alongside Ricca’s keyboards. The reinterpretation is tighter, assertive, and ventures into Prog-Metal territory, highlighting the project’s evolution and expanded sonic palette over thirteen years. “VI – …And Thus The End” concludes The Rome Pro(G)ject with ambition, dignity, and compositional sophistication. Ricca has maintained narrative and musical coherence across six albums while assembling some of Progressive Rock’s finest talents. The final chapter balances instrumental virtuosity with emotional resonance, vintage aesthetics with modern production, and individual mastery with ensemble synergy. For those who have followed the journey from the first album to this final chapter, “VI” provides a satisfying denouement. For newcomers, it stands as a vivid illustration of what contemporary Progressive Rock can achieve under the direction of a visionary composer surrounded by legendary collaborators and emerging talents alike. Just as Ancient Rome left an indelible mark on civilization, so too does this musical chronicle conclude, leaving an enduring legacy in the Progressive Rock landscape.
Tracklist
01. VI (Six) (03:43)
02. We Wandered (06:06)
03. 1229 Years (04:40)
04. Far from Home (28:11)
05. Ad Gloriam Romae (05:21)
06. And Thus the End (01:27)
07. Over 2000 Fountains 2025 (Bonus Track) (06:38)
Lineup
Vincenzo Ricca / Keyboards, Composer, Arranger, Producer
Steve Hackett / Guitars
David Jackson / Saxophone, Flute
Bernardo Lanzetti / Vocals
Tony Levin / Bass, Chapman Stick
Billy Sherwood / Bass, Drums
With:
Franck Carducci / 12-string Guitar, Bass
Paolo Ricca / Electric Guitar