Way of the Animal Powers, the

Amazing how many bruises this album leaves on you after only 25 plus minutes. The Italian heavy hitters collaborate this time with Fred Lonberg-Holm. The myth explored here is that of the saxophone snake that slinked into the Garden of Rock, and convinced Adam and Eve (that’s us listeners) to abandon our prejudice favoring only the guitar as the chosen instrument. While they’ve connected to Chicago before via Spaceways, Inc, this time Lonberg-Holm followed the every road leading to Rome, and brought with him a sizzling amplified cello. This band is so heavy, so cohesive, so potent. Simply one of the best rock bands going today bar none. Massimo delivers damaged yet fortified bass at the same time, Luca Tomasso’s sax is the flaming totem, but this time out is was Jacopo’s drums that really caught your ear, and damn well tore it off. He even offers exuberant vocals on the closing number. (There’s also spoken words about Monte Cazzaza on the lead-off track.) Xeng. 2005.