[Review] Tritop – Tritop 120

Italian Progressive Rock ensemble Tritop return with “Tritop 120,” a masterful and deeply personal exploration of memory, travel, and light, following their 2022 release “Rise of Kassandra.” Known for their ability to blend the elegance of Classic Prog with a modern emotional sensibility, Tritop have crafted an album that seamlessly balances intricate musicianship with melodic accessibility, moving fluidly between intimate introspections and expansive, cinematic soundscapes. The quintet demonstrates once again a keen sense of arrangement and compositional sophistication, creating music that is both emotionally resonant and technically impressive. The album opens with “Rebuild Nothing,” a short but evocative piece that sets the tone for the journey ahead. Gentle, dreamy guitar arpeggios establish an atmosphere of reflection, inviting the listener to settle into Tritop’s world. In just over a minute, the track transitions seamlessly into “Master of Drama,” a thirteen-minute epic that immediately asserts itself as a cornerstone of the album. The initial arpeggios evolve into a lush Symphonic palette, enriched by warm, expressive vocals that guide the listener through the piece’s many passages. Tritop navigate complex changes in tempo with remarkable fluidity, allowing the rhythm section—anchored by a deep, driving bassline and technically accomplished drumming—to shine without overwhelming the melodic content. Guitar and keyboard textures intertwine in intricate patterns, creating layers of harmonic depth and contrapuntal interplay. The track alternates between powerful vocal sections and extended instrumental explorations, blending Heavy, modern Prog elements with touches of Classic Symphonic grandeur. Solos from both keyboards and guitar are highlighted, demonstrating technical mastery while never losing sight of the piece’s emotional narrative. The band’s ability to maintain thematic cohesion over extended durations marks “Master of Drama” as a definitive example of modern Progressive Rock with an individual voice. “Wanderlust” opens with a reflective piano introduction that gradually blossoms into a commanding Progressive Metal/Rock composition. Engaging synth motifs accompany a rhythmically complex, yet accessible, framework, with the bass and drums driving a sense of forward motion and intensity. The vocals are expressive and emotive, guiding the listener through sections that range from lush Symphonic textures to technically demanding instrumental passages. Tritop’s mastery of dynamic contrast is evident here: shifts from contemplative introspection to soaring crescendos highlight both compositional ingenuity and emotional resonance. The piece balances influences from Classic Prog Rock and modern Symphonic metal while asserting the band’s unmistakable signature style. A continuous interplay between tension and release gives “Wanderlust” a sense of narrative momentum, with each transition carefully constructed to sustain engagement over its nearly ten-minute runtime. The album’s centerpiece, the monumental “Asymmetrical Reflections of a Restless Heart,” is a 23-minute suite that demonstrates Tritop’s full compositional and technical range. It opens with Symphonic keyboard passages, enveloping the listener in a dark, brooding atmosphere. Subtle guitar arpeggios and keyboard counterpoints provide a delicate backdrop for warm and expressive vocal lines, establishing an intimate yet dramatic mood. Around the five-minute mark, the suite transitions into a heavier Prog territory, anchored by a propulsive rhythm section and further enriched by virtuosic guitar and keyboard solos. Throughout its extensive runtime, “Asymmetrical Reflections of a Restless Heart” evolves organically, exploring multiple thematic variations while maintaining coherence and emotional impact. Tritop’s ability to navigate between Symphonic elegance and Heavy Progressive intensity is exemplary: tempo changes, intricate rhythms, and shifting textures create a dynamic listening experience that never loses focus. The inclusion of female choir voices—Roberta Campoli, Annalaura Talpa, and Eleonora Belfiore—adds an additional layer of harmonic depth, enhancing the suite’s dramatic and cinematic scope. In the latter stages, the composition emphasizes instrumental interplay, allowing guitar and keyboard lines to converse and develop independently, culminating in a climactic, emotive crescendo that resolves the suite’s narrative arc. “Tritop 120” is a compelling work that rewards repeated listening, revealing ever-deeper layers with each encounter. From expressive, warm vocals to intricate instrumental passages, from dynamic rhythmic interplay to lush harmonic textures, the album represents a synthesis of classic and modern Progressive Rock, enriched by Symphonic sophistication and Heavy Prog vigor. Tritop have not merely created a collection of tracks, but an immersive musical journey—carefully composed, expertly performed, and emotionally resonant. In an era where modern Prog can often feel derivative, “Tritop 120” stands out as a distinct and original statement, reflecting the band’s technical mastery, compositional maturity, and unique voice. Among recent international releases, it is one of the most compelling and rewarding experiences, inviting listeners to explore its intricate layers again and again.

Tracklist

01. Rebuild Nothing (1:19)
02. Master of Drama (13:11)
03. Wanderlust (9:43)
04. Asymmetrical Reflections of a Restless Heart (23:32)

Lineup

Ivo Di Traglia / Drums, Composer, Arranger
Pierfrancesco Di Pofi / Keys, Piano, Hammond, Synth, Mellotron, Voice
Francesco Caponera / Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Voice
Jacopo Tuzi / Electric Bass, Acoustic Guitar, Voice
Mattia Fagiolo / Lead Voice, Lyrics (Track 4)
Iacopo Di Traglia / Classic Guitar (Track 1), Composer (Track 1), Lyrics (Tracks 2, 3)

Female Coir in “Asymmetrical Reflections Of A Restless Heart“:
Roberta Campoli
Annalaura Talpa
Eleonora Belfiore

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