Strigma (2013)
At some point I managed to hear Taproban's first two albums, but I'll be damned if I remember anything about them. So a revisit is in order for certain.
Almost ten years ago to the date, I had an opportunity to secure Strigma, their 4th album, on the cheap. Suitably impressed I filed it away with a nice rating. What did it sound like again?
Taproban, at least on this album, has tapped into the dark side of Italian keyboard progressive rock. Almost entirely instrumental, take away the vocals from Il Balletto di Bronzo's YS, Metamorfosi's Inferno, and Le Orme's Felona e Sorona, and you have a pretty good idea what Strigma sounds like. Three lengthy epics with heavy organ, mellotron, flute, piano, some guitar, and a competent rhythm section. In many ways they are emulating what Nuova Era started with Il Passo del Soldato. This is one of those "Italian prog albums for Italian prog fans" type of deals. It's not entirely original, including a couple of lifted bits from Genesis, but it's a small matter overall.
At some point it would be great to hear their other four albums (two again apparently), plus whatever compilations they contributed to.
Ownership: 2013 Musea (CD). Booklet with photos, recording / instrumentation details, and lyrics.
6/13/15 (acquired); 6/21/25 (review)
6/21/25 (new entry)
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