MANGALA VALLIS: Microsolco (PROGRESSIVE ROCK): review / opinion to read on Music Waves

The least we can say is that Mangala Vallis is a band that does not monopolize the attention of the progressive rock fan. "Microsolco", third album in ten years of the Italian formation, will have taken seven years to succeed "Lycanthrope". To say that this new opus was expected is therefore a sweet euphemism.

In seven years, a lot of changes can happen and it is the one of the band's line up that strikes at first glance on the booklet of this "Microsolco". Three new names (out of five) appear in relation to the formation present on "Lycanthrope". A second guitarist Nicola Milazzo comes to support Mirco Consolini and, above all, Roberto Tiranti (New Trolls, Labyrinth, Ian Paice & Glenn Hughes) comes on bass and vocals. Such changes obviously have consequences on the overall sound of the group and one will appreciate (or not) the loss of tremolos and Bernardo Lanzetti's theatrical emphasis.

The vocals is therefore wiser, more classical, but far from being devoid of warmth and expression. Listening to the first title ("Easy Empire"), one can find, in the voice and in the style, a small resemblance with A.C.T.. But let us return initially to the concept of the album. The title of the penultimate track, "21/12/12", should put you on the way ... Mangala Vallis alludes to this end of the World which approaches with great steps but our Italian optimists let us foresee a happy ending since the album ends on "Terra Nova" !

You will not find an epic composition in "Microsolco", the longest duration being 7'12 for "Easy Empire", and it is undoubtedly what is missing from this album to make it a great vintage. The melodies are catchy and some are close to FM formatting ("Plastic Paradise"), but the efficiency of the orchestrations sometimes punctuated with vintage sounds, keyboard flights and very prog guitar solos make the whole endearing. Each listening reveals some good finds, there a sound of violin or flute, here a reminiscence of Mellotron. One of the surviving members of the original band being Gigi Cavalli Cocchi, the excellent drummer, it is only normal to note a sometimes amazing work on the drums.

The final note sanctions (but so little) a lack of madness, of grandiloquence in the developed themes, but this third album of Mangala Vallis remains quite recommendable to all the amateurs of good neo-progressive rock. - Official website

MANGALA VALLIS

MICROSOLCO

MARACASH

PROGRESSIVE ROCK