Macroscream was founded by bassist/vocalist Alessandro Patierno, whose long-term vision was create a seventies-style progressive rock band. His idea took root in 2001 but it was seven years before the group's line-up was completed with the arrival of drummer Marco Pallotti in 2008. Like their fellow band members, Davide Cirone (keyboards) and Tonino Politano (guitar) have backgrounds in the music schools and academies. However it was violinist Gianpaolo Saracino's involvement in a number of folk music projects that largely shaped the band's musical development.. They supported Italian jazz ensemble IBRIDO HOT SIX at a concert in Rome that also featured guest appearances by Gary Green and Malcolm Mortimore of GENTLE GIANT.
The band's self-produced debut album ''Sisyphus'' (2011) was is one song-length EP, which combines a strong Italian folk sensibility, courtesy of Saracino's violin arrangements, with a devotion to 1970s symphonic prog. The ambition of the music is matched by English-language lyrics that are derived from philosophy and classical mythology - the album is inspired by Albert Camus' reading of the legendary trickster Sisyphus who was condemned to eternal punishment by the gods.
The band's latest self-tiled full album is a masterpiece of flow, mythological wonders and amazing musicianship. Musical genres are mixed up in a superb prog-soup, as the band draws upon a number of different influences including rock, jazz, folk, and even reggae. This mixture creates a highly enjoyable album that is inspired by Gentle Giant, Genesis, Jethro Tull, but also include funk and reggae. Sounds weird. Anyone who loves diversity within a single composition will love this. It works! Lot's on sweet anologue sounds. Although the vocals are strong (in particular- Luca Marconi), it's instrumentally, where this band soars. A must buy!
Members:
Tonino Politano' - electric & acoustic guitar
Gianpaolo Saracino - violin
Davide Cirone - hammond organ, electric pianos, mellotron, minimoog, korg synthesizer
Alessandro Patierno - bass guitar, classic guitar, acoustic guitar, piano, mandolin, vocoder, percussions, dorps, backing vocals
Marco Pallotti . drums
Luca Marconi - vocals
Special guests:
Pierluigi Pensabene - soprano sax
Edoardo Capparucci - tenor & contralto sax
Fabio Angelo Colajanni - flute
Francesco Marsigliese - trumpet, sordina
Daniele Bicego - uilleann pipes
Davide Eusebi - percussions, vibes
Sanjay Kansa Banik - tabla
Esharef Alì Mhagag: backing vocals
Awa Koundoul - backing vocals
Chiara Calderale - backing vocals
Ben Slavin - voice on "Mr. Why"
Rodolfo Demontis - orchestral parts
Daisy - dog's steps on "Then it goes away"
