Alphataurus - "Alphataurus" (1973)

"Le chamadere(Peccato d´orgoglio)" 12:18 is the first track here. Very good, great mood. Acoustic track, good singer, sharp outbursts here and there. Especially halfway in the track the tempo really rises and the aggressive themes are taking over. Also notice the tight keyboardist, chopping away on his hammond.

Next track "Dopo L'urgano" is the one I care the least for here. It is OK but no more. It has a certain 'bluesy' quality about it. One sort of recognizes what comes next, long boring jams that doesnt say that much to me. However, the loud distorted guitars and some solos here and there can be tolerable. But for me this doesnt match up to the same high wquality as all the other tracks are of.

"Croma" (9:21) on the other hand is fantastic! A very symphonic-sounding all instrumental track. The floating keyboard-layers creates a great atmosphere. A bit short, but everything is right there though.
Which leads on to the next extemly good track: "La Mente Vola", one of the albums highlight. When I heard the first and second track I thought that this would be the style all thorugh the album; very typical (and good) italian progressive. But this track too is another more symphonic track. Beginning with a great theme, tightly played, keyboards, drums... It goes on and on, being almost hypnotic. Then another great theme kicks in and soon thereafter the singer begins. It is all a very pleasant track. Ranging from very dreamy symponic prog to a more heavy progressive style. When the "refrain" comes again it sounds simply awesome.

"Ombra Muta" ends the album. This too sounds to me that it has a lot of more spacey influences here and there and slightly symphonic then heavy progressive. Judge for yourself, anyway, it sounds again very good. The singer has a good voice, dramatic and not too harsh sounding either. Many breaks in here and the track also kicks off a little with some rather heavy parts from the guitar/keyboard, perhaps just a little too much repeition in some parts.

Overall rating: this is one of the first albums you shall check for. A bit short perhaps, only five tracks, but I strongly recommend it. Has some of the most memorable songs I have heard so far in italian progressive rock.

Has been released by Vinyl Magic in a nice looking digipac cover LP replica, including lyrics and a photo of the band.