Found Vinyl: Banco del Mutuo Soccorso - Banco

Italian prog rock is one of my musical preferences, probably ever since i first heard Goblin's "Dawn of the Dead" score back when i was a teenager.  Just the right amount of guitar wankery, funk, classical, and pretension to get the blood flowing right.  Which brings us to the odd little album "Banco" by Banco del Mutuo Soccorso.  Released in 1975, the album found the group focusing its sound primarily as a fusion of classical chamber music, opera, and electric guitar rock.  The whole thing is very dramatic.  Let's start with album opener "Chorale (from Traccia's Theme)."



There's almost a Wendy Carlos type vibe going on in the short album intro, but it sets the stage for the rest of the LP.  "Nothing's the Same" jumps all over the place.  Listen below.



Finally, we have the 15-minute "Metamorphosis" below which pretty much captures and embodies the band as a whole, showcasing individual styles and talents of each band member as well as bringing together all the different influences that make this record what it is.


On one final note, lead singer Francesco DiGiacomo was totally rocking the balding-fat-guy-with-giant-beard look long before anyone else.