LogoS – Sadako e le mille gru di carta (Andromeda Relix, 2020)
Sadako e le mille gru di carta is a fantastic keyboard-fueled concept album from Italian band LogoS. This is symphonic progressive rock of the highest order performed by a band that features two keyboardists.
Sadako e le mille gru di carta (Sadako and the thousands cranes) narrates a moving story about a young Japanese girl named Sadako Sasaki who survives the Hiroshima nuclear explosion. At the age of eleven she was taken to the hospital and was diagnosed with deadly leukemia, a consequence of the radiation she was exposed to.
An ancient Japanese legend indicates that whoever manages to create a thousand paper cranes with origami would fulfill their wish. Sadako made 644 cranes on various types of paper but sadly passed away. However, her struggle became an international symbol of peace with statues dedicated to her in Hiroshima (Japan) and Seatlle (USA). Sadako’s numerous friends completed the rest of the cranes.
Musically, this album is a state of the art set of performances. It’s rock progresivo Italiano at its best. The band delivers masterfully-crafted keyboard work throughout the album supported by a solid and creative rhythm section.
The keyboards provide majestic orchestrations, memorable solos and epic progressions too. The impressive, lush style recalls the great masters like Banco, Le Orme and Genesis as well as Rick Wakeman, neoclassical music and the symphonic rock of The Enid. The Italian-language vocals are excellent as well, rich in nuance, emotion and drama.
The lineup includes Luca Zerman on vocals, Hammond organ, and synthesizers; Fabio Gaspari on vocals, bass, guitar, and mandolin; Claudio Antolini on piano and synthesizers; and Alessandro Perbellini on drums. Guests: Elisa Montaldo (Il Tempio delle Clessidre, Vly) on vocals; Massimo Maoli on guitar; Simone Chiampan on drums; and Federico Zoccatelli on saxophone.
The album also highlights the admirable work of painter Marica Fasoli who provides stationary paper origami images and videographer Elia Cristofoli (Solingo). The CD booklet contains photos, lyrics and examples of Fasoli’s work.
Sadako e le mille gru di carta is one of the finest Italian works I’ve heard in a long time. It is gentle and muscular, multifaceted, imaginative and profound progressive rock, with a final grand epic clocking 21:19.
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