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Review:
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In 2005 new Italian formation Ubi Maior pleasantly
surprised the progheads with their debut CD entitled Nostos,
firmly rooted in the Classic Prog tradition and layered
with vintage keyboards, especially the Mellotron sound is
awesome. In those days Ubi Maior also performed on a Biglietto
Per L’Inferno tribute concert (along legendary bands like
Le Orme, Banco and Area), to me this new Italian five-piece
band sounded as one of the most convincing acts was my conclusion
when I watched the DVD! And now, four years later, Ubi Maior
has released their eagerly awaited successor named Senza
Tempo (it means Timeless). Was it worth waiting that long?
Yes, it was! -
Listening to Senza Tempo I conclude that the band has
matured during the years between their two albums, the 10
compositions sound more balanced and structured than on
Nostos. Singer Mario Moi (he also plays electric violin)
has an important role with his unique vocals: a bit raw
and very passionate and in songs like Disperazione, Delirio
and Destino he colours the music in a very special way with
strong theatrical undertones, to me it sounds as a perfect
match with Ubi Maior’s often dark, compelling and heavy
bombastic progrock. At other moments he sounds very warm,
almost tender like in the mellow mid-section of Sogno (in
combination with beautiful violin-Mellotron waves), the
intro of Desiderio (wonderful duet with sparkling Grand
piano) and especially in the first part of Distruzione (subtle
blend of warm vocals, Fender Rhodes-like piano and soaring
keyboards). But I am mostly impressed how Ubi Maior succeeds
to build up the tension in many songs, especially in the
long compositions Delirio (delivering moving guitar work
and swirling Hammond organ) and the exciting, very varied
Destino (fantastic ‘grand finale’ with strong hints of Pallas
due to the compelling choir-Melllotron sound and the fiery
guitar runs). Other strong examples are Sogno (from heavy
and compelling with a dark climate in the vein of Il Balletto
Di Bronzo to sultry with soaring viloin-Mellotron and from
a slow rhythm with howling guitar and inspired vocals to
gradually bombastic with propulsive guitar riffs and violin-Mellotron
waves), Desiderio (from a beautiful Grand piano intro with
warm vocals to bombastic eruptions with fiery guitar and
majestic choir-Mellotron eruptions) and the sultry Distruzione
(from dreamy with hypnotizing Fender piano to romantic with
dreamy vocals and melancholical electric violin). The short
Morte sounds as a PFM inspired ‘classic meets rock’ song
(lots of Moog and Hammond along folky acoustic rhythm guitar)
and the final track Morte Parte IV is a good example how
Ubi Maior has found the balance on Senza Tempo: after the
long and alternating composition Destino, the band ends
the album with the dreamy sounding Morte Part IV featuring
warm acoustic guitar and electric violin and pleasant vocals.
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We had to wait four years but finally we can listen
to the new Ubi Maior CD, highly recommended!
www.progwalhalla.com
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