Teodicea - Il Mondo Esausto - 2024
“... God's justice ...”
intro
Teodicea (Theodicy - 'God's Justice') is a project born from an original idea of ​​keyboardist Enrico Filippi, the original Aliante keyboardist who showed his skills on the first two albums. In order to give shape to his musical ideas after Aliante, he formed the trio Teodicea together with bassist Jacopo Morandi and drummer Giacomo Putrino. The album is entitled 'Il Mondo Esausto' (The Exhausted World). On this album the band gives its vision on the contemporary world that tends to give, deprive and engulf emotions to the human being, making the latter afflicted by the feeling of powerlessness in the face of the impossibility of being able to realize in reality what the mind conceives or desires. The album is released on the Italian M.P. & Records label and is distributed by G.T. Music Distribution.
line-up
Enrico Filippi - keyboards, piano; Giacomo Putrino - drums & percussion, keyboards; Jacopo Morandi - bass
review
The album opens with the track '777' (5:37) which will immediately appeal to lovers of vintage keyboard work. The melodic synth melodies are alternated with Hammond organ and piano. In a trio setting, the keyboards naturally get plenty of attention. This fine opener is a keyboard drenched track. A wonderful opener that transports you to the seventies. The next track 'Gioia E Risoluzione' (6:35) opens with quiet and delicate piano playing. Then the Hammond and synth parts follow again while the tempo increases slightly. This track has the necessary variation in quiet and uptempo parts. The dark sound of the Hammond organ reminds me somewhat of the music of Van Der Graaf Generator.
'L 'Ineluttable' (5:45) also has those wonderful synth melodies which are occasionally alternated with a Hammond organ part. 'Weltschmerz" (5:44) opens again with quiet piano playing. The quiet melodies are very beautiful. Halfway through the intensity increases and the tempo increases. The piano plays the leading role in this song which sometimes shows some classical influences. 'Ripresa Di Coscienza" first has a jazzy intro on a bed of beautiful keyboard strings, after which a beautiful and delicate synth melody follows. The second part is more uptempo and we can enjoy a nice organ part again. For me this is one of the better tracks. 'Intro 442' (4:42) opens with a delicate bass part after which piano and delicate percussion are added. On top of this the synth plays a beautiful melody. A quiet and very beautiful track.
'Lofoten' (4:42) also opens with delicate piano playing. This would not be out of place on a new age album by an artist like Micheal Gettel. The first part of this track has some New Age and/or Neo-Classical influences. In the later part, however, we are treated to a beautiful melodic synth solo after which the delicate piano closes the song. 'Punto Di Fusione' (3:20) is completely different. The hectic and rhythmic piano playing of the opening seems like an ode to the band Banco Del Mutuo Soccorso. But there is much more to experience in this highlight of this album. You also hear jazzy piano playing, a wonderful synth solo part and fine Hammond organ playing in this track which has many rhythm changes. This is perhaps the most Progressive Rock song on the album. Because the closing 'Il Viaggio Del Moro" (6:32) opens again with a melodic synth part supported by beautiful keyboard strings. But soon the tempo increases and the track becomes more powerful. And we are presented with a track with a lot of variation. The second part of this album is in my opinion very strong. The album ends with a highlight.
conclusion
Teodicea, the project of keyboardist Enrico Filippi has made a fine instrumental album with the album 'Il Mondo Esausto' that will certainly appeal to RPI (Rock Progressivo Italiano) and especially to fans who like to hear vintage keyboards in their progressive rock. The music is quite keyboard dominated, not only by synths and Hammond organ but also by the piano. Nowhere is the music freaky or bombastic. However, I notice that you can find beautiful synth and piano melodies on this good album without weak moments. Hopefully, the band can introduce more people to this wonderful instrumental music, partly through this review. For me as a fan of Italian prog a welcome surprise and discovery. Just check it out for yourself.