Doracor - The Long Pathway (1997)

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Doracor - The Long Pathway (1997)

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DORACOR are nothing else than a progressive rock concept guided by multi- instrumentalist Corrado Sardella,who invites musicians to help him out on his compositions.Sardella is cited in Rome,where in April 97' he recorded and mixed his debut album ''The long pathway'',his only work up today,which carries an English title.The album was released on Mellow Records the same year.
STYLE: Being entirely instrumental,this effort follows the paths of grandiose symphonic rock with plenty of keyboards and additional support by the other instruments.Every song offers double keys attacks,partly in melodic lines,partly delivering complex and bombastic musicianship.The compositions are well-crafted ranging from impressive symph passages to darker and mellower moments.Guitars aren't used often and when they are,they are a bit low in the mix.The general style ends up to be in a neo/symphonic mood.

INFLUENCES/SOUNDS LIKE: The mass of twists and breaks are definitely of the E.L.P. school of prog,but the bands that come straight to mind are an instrumental version of IQ and ARENA,especially CLIVE NOLAN's influence is more than obvious throughout the listening.

PLUS: A musician with incredible talent,Sardella amazes with his compositional skills and great virtuosic playing.He also uses a variety of keys to give the songs some alternating possibilities.Most of the album is quite melodic and he manages to deliver a good memorable dose of them.A good first step in the fields of symphonic-oriented progressive music.

MINUS: Too-much keyboard-based ''The long pathway'' lacks in different moods and ends up to be quite monotonous after a few listenings,with the tracks being quite similar.The rhythm section seems to be a little buried in the mix,while the sound of drums is too plastic.The presence of a vocalist propably would save the album from falling down.Flutes and violins are credited on the sleeve,but where are they?

WILL APPEAL TO: Obviously fans of symphonic rock with a love to endless keyboard sounds and even fans of electronic prog…for all the others,I would recommend trying some samples first.

CONCLUSION/RATING: A solid 3 star rating for nice album overall by a very talented musician,which fails to impress due to the lack of different moods.A big disease for all the one-man bands.However still the album comes recommended by my side.

~ psarros , Progarchives

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Doracor - The Long Pathway (1997)

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Doracor:

DORACOR is an anagram/pseudonym for keyboardist and drummer Corrado Sardella. Segni Premonitori (1998) and Antiche Impressioni (1999) are the 2nd and 3rd Doracor albums. These are high-caliber, primarily-instrumental symphonic rock albums, with Corrado handling most of the instruments himself, with assistance from guest musicians. These have a very full-band sound and a 1970's orientation. The best way to think of them is as the albums Tony Banks could make if Tony made progressive rock solo albums instead of trying to match the chart success of Phil Collins and Mike Rutherford. Antiche Impressioni features a female vocalist, a bassist and a guitarist, while Segni Premonitori features a male singer and a guitarist.

"Transizione" (2001) trumps the earlier albums, as here Sardella is aided by seven other musicians, and the sound is that of a full band, with male and female vocals in Italian. It is one of the best symphonic progressive albums that no one has heard and is quite similar to the first album by the French band HECENIA. Though it does have most of the hallmarks of the Italian 1970's romantic progressive style, it is even more influenced by GENESIS circa "Wind and Wuthering", while at times the energy level suggests later bands such as IQ. "Evanescenze" (2005) continues in this vein but is even better. Just male vocals this time around, but they are very strong, reminding one of ATON's or even LOCANDA DELLE FATE at times."

~ Progarchives

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Doracor - The Long Pathway (1997)

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Doracor - The Long Pathway (1997)

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