Osanna ‎– Preludio Tema Variazioni Canzona (1972) [Reissue 2004]

One of the greatest bands in the Italian prog field, Osanna came from Naples, formed in 1971 by the members of I Volti di Pietra and Città Frontale (another band with the same name came from Osanna ashes and recorded El Tor) whose keyboard player Gianni Leone has gone to Balletto di Bronzo. Reeds player Elio D'Anna came from Showmen, the others didn't have significant experiences.Second album, Preludio, tema, variazioni, canzona, also known as Milano calibro 9 from the name of the film for which it was chosen as soundtrack, is a step backward, with few band compositions mixed with composer Bacalov's orchestral themes. Some of the Osanna tracks are beautiful, though, like the first three Variazione.

The guitar sounds a bit like Led Zeppelin or like on the first Rush's album. There are some strings arrangements which give a symphonic touch to this prog hard rock album. It sounds a bit like the Italian prog band RDM, but it is more instrumental. there are excellent fast drums, very good piano, loud and complex bass and some good flute parts; the only "bad" thing is that the atmosphere is not very warm for a hard rock band: sometimes it is very scary, given the numerous psychedelic bits. There are not very much vocals.

Review by greenback