Il Cerchio d’Oro – Pangea e Le Tre Lune (2023)
Pangea e Le Tre Lune (Pangea and the Three Moons) is a first-rate concept album by the Italian progressive rock band Il Cerchio d’Oro. Specifically, the topic is the ancient supercontinent Pangea.
This recording radiates 1970s magic. It evokes the great classic rock progresivo italiano bands of the era. This is no mere coincidence. Il Cerchio d’Oro was originally founded in the mid-1970s, although they never released a full album during that decade. However, they returned in 2005 and this is their fifth album. Pangea e Le Tre Lune includes seven tracks, even though the CD edition includes a bonus track titled “Crisi.”
What you get is fabulous symphonic progressive rock with vocals in Italian. Il Cerchio d’Oro has developed its own sound in terms of magnetic vocals and exquisitely crafted music with memorable, intricate guitar lines, masterful keyboards and much more. Despite that, you can identify influences such as the pastoral side of Le Orme and the instrumental complexity of PFM and Banco. The bonus track strays away from the progressive rock vibe. Instead, it sounds like a Deep Purple-inspired hard rock song (the song includes a “familiar “Smoke on the Water” melody).
The band includes core members Franco Piccolini on keyboards; Giuseppe Terribile on bass, acoustic guitar, vocals; and Gino Terribile on drums, vocals. The newer members are Piucio Pradal on vocals, guitar; and Massimo Spica on guitar. The album also features guest appearances by Ricky Belloni on electric guitar (New Idea, New Trolls); Donald Lax on violin (Quella Vecchia Locanda), and Tolo Marton on electric guitar (Le Orme).
Pangea e Le Tre Lune‘s alluring fantasy cover art was designed by Armando Mancini, who previously contributed artwork to Quella Vecchia Locanda, The Trip, Rovescio Della Medaglia and Raccomandata Ricevuta Di Ritorno.
Buy Pangea e Le Tre Lune.