(Symphonic Progressive Rock) Materya (AltaVia, Deus ex Machina) - Case - 2012, MP3, 320 kbps

Materya is to AltaVia as Aries is to La Maschera di Cera. Betty has a gorgeous, crystalline voice, delivering lyrics in both English and Italian. Stagni also sings, and as a keyboardist sounds influenced by Tony Banks / Genesis. It’s mandatory to mention Renaissance in all cases of prog with pure female vocals, and we comply, but references to Magenta and Karnataka are also apt. This is the most beautiful album we’ve heard this year, with Materya’s version of Stella Splendens the highlight. Stella Splendens is a late medieval song that appeared in a manuscript from 1399 or thereabouts. The song has been recorded by just about every band doing medieval music, including Adaro, Blackmore’s Night, and Companyia Elèctrica Dharma, but Materya’s arrangement is the best we’ve heard, with a slab of Genesis sympho-prog
The music has many influences ranging from Mike Oldfield to It Bites. Symphonic Progressive Rock / Neo Prog

Line up:
Andrea Stagni (piano/keyboards, guitars, bass, percussions and vocals) - (AltaVia)
Betty Copeta (vocals) - (AltaVia)
Claudio Trotta (Deus ex Machina)
Marcello Bellina (AltaVia)