HOSTSONATEN - HOSTSONATEN - 1997

This is another of modern Italian progressive rock's hero,bassist/composer Fabio Zuffanti.Actually HOSTSONATEN have to be started as a side-project of his first band FINISTERRE,as in the insert notes of the album you will find the title ''Finisterre Project'',although the cover of the work doesn't carry such an expression.HOSTSONATEN's eponymous debut from 1997 is another tribute of Zuffanti in the classic 70's Italian prog rock sound,though the few lyrics presented are sung in English.This time the musicianship is more mellow and folk-oriented bringing to mind bands like CELESTE and PREMIATA FORNERIA MARCONI.

The album starts with the nice flute-based mourning intro ''Sinfonia della luna'',taken from the self-titled work of japanese symph progsters ''Mugen'',followed by the 41-min. grand epic ''Hostsonaten'',which is exactly what a prog folk fan is searching for.This composition is filled with massive flute attacks and acoustic guitars,which often turn from soft passages to dark medieval tunes.Additionally the use of the mellotron will thrill you,if you're a lover of the 70's sound,while the are also some excellent guitar soloing as well as awesome classical piano parts in the symphonic style.''Remember you'' is the next track in the line and this is also a cover of the japanese progsters CINDERELLA SEARCH and their eponymous song,released in 1993 through their self-titled album.A very good ballad-like track carried by smooth vocals and delicate flutes until its grandiose symphonic guitar-driven ending.The closer ''The rime of the ancient mariner'' is a another mini-epic,clocking at over 12 minutes,where the music is more demanding,epic and intense than the previous tracks.Superb flutes and good guitar solos are present again,but this time the performance on the vocals are more expressive,the heavy use of piano,organ and mellotron makes the sound richer and the complicated guitar work lifts up the level of the composition's complexity...

Zuffanti made his miracle again.''Hostsonaten'' is a different angle of his pure talent,mixing ethereal folk tunes with the sound of grandiose symphonicism to result another beautifully-arranged gem of progressive rock.A strongly recommended release for the whole progressive rock audience.
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