Delirium
III - Viaggio Negli Arcipelaghi Del Tempo

THE REVIEW

Final Act for Delirium who released this work in 1974 closing their short career.

Always Mimmo Di Martino on vocals for this album that at first listen seems more challenging than the other two. It no longer appears to be folk or at least reminiscent of Jethro Tull or Traffic. In fact, two years after "Lo Scemo e Il Villaggio", the whole band decided to make a radical cut with the past, dominating their prog passages with the electric piano and the mellotron.

"Viaggio Negli Arcipelaghi del Tempo" seems to be more experimental and ruthless coming closer to the style of King Crimson, ELP, and Le Orme; without ever neglecting that touch of drama. But I will try to describe this suite song by song: "Il Dono" is the opening track: acoustic guitar and flute (very sweet). Following is "Viaggio Negli Arcipelaghi Del Tempo" with choirs, tempo changes, and jazz interludes. "Fuga N. 1" is an instrumental with organ and sax (a piece that hurts!). The ballad in this case is track no. 4 "Dio Del Silenzio", acoustic with a good sax solo leading to the track "La Battaglia Degli Eterni Piani" (epic, complex, symphonic). "Un Uomo" (melodic ballad with piano) and the last two: "Viaggio N. 2" and "Ancora Un Alba" that orchestrally close the record as if they had told a story.

All in all, it is an excellent record, though it’s a bit shorter than the others. Delirium left a great mark on the Italian music scene, a bit like PFM, Le Orme, New Trolls, Banco Del Mutuo Soccorso, and Rovescio della Medaglia, but unfortunately, unlike the other bands, they broke up leaving only this trilogy behind. Very beautiful even if it seems a bit too little! Don’t you think? But I’m not complaining, in fact, I am happy to have listened to and enjoyed this piece of Italian history that sadly will never return!