vinylfanatics.com

When Il Balletto Di Bronzo disbanded in 1973, the Italian progressive rock scene lost one of its most enigmatic and ambitious acts. Their swan song, "Ys," released that same year, stands as a testament to what happens when classical training collides head-on with psychedelic experimentation and the result is nothing short of magnificent chaos.

Working backwards through their brief but incendiary career reveals a band that was always destined for cult status rather than commercial success. "Ys" emerged from a group that had already pushed the boundaries of what rock music could accommodate, but this final statement saw them abandon all pretense of accessibility in favor of pure artistic expression. The album's title, referencing the mythical Breton city swallowed by the ocean, perfectly encapsulates the drowning sensation listeners experience when submerged in its dense, orchestral arrangements.

The musical DNA of "Ys" defies easy categorization, existing somewhere in the nebulous space between progressive rock, classical composition, and avant-garde experimentation. Lino Ajello's guitar work serves as the album's emotional compass, weaving between delicate fingerpicked passages and crushing, distorted crescendos with the precision of a surgeon and the passion of a madman. Meanwhile, the rhythm section creates a foundation that's simultaneously rock-solid and utterly unpredictable, supporting elaborate vocal harmonies that soar and dive like birds caught in a storm.

The album's centerpiece, "Primo Incontro," unfolds like a fever dream scored by a conservatory graduate having a nervous breakdown. Clocking in at over ten minutes, the track moves through distinct movements that feel both carefully composed and spontaneously combusted. The interplay between acoustic and electric elements creates a tension that never fully resolves, leaving listeners suspended in a state of beautiful anxiety. The vocal arrangements, sung entirely in Italian, add layers of Mediterranean warmth to what could otherwise feel coldly intellectual.

"Secondo Incontro" serves as the album's most accessible entry point, though "accessible" remains a relative term when discussing Il Balletto Di Bronzo. Here, the band demonstrates their ability to craft memorable melodies within their complex structural framework. The song builds from whispered intimacy to orchestral bombast, showcasing the dynamic range that made Italian prog so distinctive from its British counterparts. The guitar solo that emerges from the song's midsection ranks among the most emotionally devastating passages in the entire progressive rock canon.

The album's final statement, "Terzo Incontro," pushes the experimental envelope even further, incorporating elements that wouldn't sound out of place on a contemporary post-rock album. The track's use of space and silence proves as important as its moments of intensity, creating a sonic landscape that feels both ancient and futuristic. It's here that the band's classical influences shine brightest, with arrangements that rival the complexity of chamber music while maintaining the primal energy of rock.

The origins of this masterpiece trace back to a band formed in Naples in the late 1960s, initially playing a more straightforward form of psychedelic rock. Their 1970 debut, "Sirio 2222," hinted at the ambitions that would fully flower on "Ys," but it was the three-year gap between releases that allowed the band to develop their singular vision. During this period, they absorbed influences ranging from King Crimson to contemporary classical composers, synthesizing these disparate elements into something uniquely Italian.

The current status of "Ys" reflects the broader trajectory of Italian progressive rock – largely overlooked during its initial release but now revered by connoisseurs of the genre. The album has been reissued multiple times, each pressing introducing new listeners to its labyrinthine pleasures. Modern progressive bands regularly cite Il Balletto Di Bronzo as an influence, though few possess the audacity to attempt such uncompromising artistic statements.

In today's musical landscape, where algorithms favor the familiar and attention spans shrink by the year, "Ys" stands as a monument to a time when bands could disappear completely into their art. It's an album that demands active listening, rewarding patience with revelations that continue to unfold after dozens of spins. The fact that Il Balletto Di Bronzo created something this singular and then vanished only adds to its mystique – like the legendary city of Ys itself, beautiful, unreachable, and forever lost beneath the waves.