Zuffanti: La Quarta Vittima

Zuffanti is Fabio Zuffanti of Maschera Di Cera, Finisterre, Hostsonaten and more, a modern legend of Italian Progressive Rock if there ever was one. Fabio is primary bassist and composer with a host of guests, who as far as I can tell, not being able to read Italian, are a "group of highly-talented musicians whose experiences run the gamut." (Translation provided by Google) After listening to The Fourth Victim, translation also provided by Google, I concur. Fabio, I'm taking the liberty of assuming we are on a first name basis, is one prolific dude. His list of projects, bands and solo works make Arjen Luccasen's discography seem like a dinghy floating next to the love boat. Great, gave myself an earworm!

Back to The Fourth Victim, the point at hand. For me this is a mixed bag, that starts strong with "Non Posso Parfare Piu' Forte (I Can Not Speak Louder)", a true Symphonic Prog epic, albeit a short one clocking in under twelve minutes. During those twelve minutes, we are treated to modulated voice-over in Italian, multiple thematic changes, a cool, as in cool jazz, sax solo, and some nice syncopation. Unfortunately, this track is the highlight. The title track, fourth up, is a Mahavishnu like fusion number with a rocking horn section supporting a soaring flute solo, more of the voiceover, and bit of 1970's detective TV theme sound. The cool factor is there, the movement is hypnotic, but all this track does is keep us, dear listener, from trashing the whole album. Following the lively title romp are three passable efforts, nothing memorable or exciting, a touch of clever instrumentation like the violin on the closing song, "Una Sera D'inverno (One Winter Evening)". But even then, what could have been a great vehicle to better things fades quickly to be replaced by compose by numbers piano chord, soft vocal, melancholy.

I'm really disappointed to not have liked this record more as I am a big fan of Maschera Di Cera and Finisterre, but often the grandest of visions can fall flat in comparison to an impressive past body of work.

Track Listing
1. Non Posso Partare Piu' Forte
2. La Certezza Impossibile
3. L'Interno Di Un Volto
4. La Quarta Vittima
5. Sotto Un Cielo Nero
6. Il Circo Brucia
7. Una Sera D'inverno

Added: February 26th 2014
Reviewer: Eric Marvin
Score:
Related Link: Band @ Bandcamp
Hits: 1956
Language: english

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