SEMIRAMIS - DEDICATO A FRAZZ - 1973

Another jewel from Italy's 70s prog rock. Intense and melodic, this album is at the same level of the monsters of the style. Very original, it's a hard job can find influences or similarities with another bands. "Frazz" is the highlight. SEMIRAMIS album is a forgotten winner, plenty of emotive intensity. Highly recommended.

How could I go about describing SEMIRAMIS? They have one of the most unique sounds from the Italian prog scene. Well, the music tends to emphasize fast, dynamic, yet quirky playing that is unique compared to most other prog albums. Most of the compositions feature dozens of instruments which include everything from guitar, bass, and drums to vibes, synths, and mandolins. There is a cartoonish element to the band's sound that indicates that they didn't take themselves seriously. But, several sections, especially towards the end of the album, are emotional and serious. For a 1973 release, the guitar work is sometimes quite heavy thanks to great guitar work by a futuristic 16 year-old. This guy was playing heavy metal guitar years before the genre became popular. Their vocalist shouldn't bother most people, but his style is rather eccentric. "Dedicato A Frazz" is an unusual album that should be in every prog fan's collection.
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