La coscienza di Zeno

With a band name derived from Italo Svevo's 1923 novel whose title translates from Italian into English as Zeno's Conscience, the Genoa, Italy-based prog rock band La Coscienza di Zeno was formed in 2007 by singer Alessio Calandriello, bassist Gabriele Guidi Colombi, drummer Andrea Orlando, and guitarist Matteo Malvezzi. Subsequently, keyboardists Stefano Agnini and Andrea Lotti and guitarist Davide Serpico came on board (with Serpico replacing Malvezzi) prior to the recording of the band's eponymous debut album, released by Mellow Records in 2011. The album featured lyrics penned by Agnini, deriving some inspiration from Svevo's psychoanalytic novel, which had been written in the form of an autobiographical journal. La Coscienza di Zeno also featured appearances by a number of guest musicians, including Luca Scherani of Finisterre and Hostsonaten, playing accordion on one track and arranging the flute performed by guest Joanne Roan on another. Keyboardist/lyricist Agnini departed La Coscienza di Zeno following the recording of the band's debut album, but he would be back to participate in the sessions for sophomore outing Sensitivitá, released by AltrOck/Fading Records in 2013. A showcase (like the first album) for Calandriello's passionate vocals, Sensitivitá found most of the group's previous lineup intact, also including Colombi, Orlando, and Serpico, although keyboardist Lotti from the debut had been replaced by one of that album's guests, Luca Scherani, featured here on an array of keyboards, chromatic accordion, and bouzouki. Also returning were guest flutist Joanne Roan as well as additional guests violinist Sylvia Trabucco; cellist Melissa Del Lucchese; and Rossano Villa, who played Mellotron. Singer Calandriello and bassist Colombi would also be featured on another AltrOck/Fading Records album aside from Sensitivitá: the eponymous debut of Not a Good Sign, a classic '70s prog-inspired band spearheaded by guitarist/composer Francesco Zago and keyboardist Paolo "Ske" Botta, key members of AltrOck avant-prog ensemble Yugen. Zago and Botta had met the members of La Coscienza di Zeno in March of 2012 and, deeming the singer and bassist well suited to their vision of a band that would explore old-school prog with a unique 21st century flavor, asked them to join the Not a Good Sign lineup. Calandriello and Colombi agreed, with the result being their appearances on both Sensitivitá and Not a Good Sign upon the two albums' release in the summer of 2013. ~ Dave Lynch