In the massive wave of progressive rock albums with which the Italian scene invaded the Peninsula in 1973, certainly noteworthy is "Inferno" by Metamorfosi. The sound of synthesizers transports us through a dreamlike journey, where the real world and Dante's hell intertwine: the various ills of today's society (not just those from 40 years ago...) are analyzed and described like modern-day Dantes, perhaps taking the subjects too seriously and veering into moralism.
Despite this, from the enjoyment perspective, the work is highly enjoyable, and presents itself as a concept album par excellence. The comparison with the original poem does not overshadow the Roman group: as already mentioned, the album is certainly not a musical transposition of "Inferno," and the Dantean quotes present in some tracks only serve to further enrich a structure with excellent foundations.
Some tracks, like "Caronte," "Spacciatore di droga," "Malebolge," and "Lucifero" assert themselves with their darker and more epic sounds, and are excellent even outside the album's context.
An album for everyone: fans of prog, those curious about the genre, and lovers of good music.
"....and so it was that we once again saw the stars."
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Other reviews
By DaveJonGilmour
It’s a very interesting modern reinterpretation of Dante’s Divine Comedy, with the inclusion of typical characters from today’s society.
The work on mellotron and keyboards is nothing short of fantastic, with escapes and incursions worthy of the best Italian keyboardists of the time.
By BeatBoy
What makes this Opera and the Group unique in originality is that, besides the damned souls Dante encounters, the sinners of our time, such as drug dealers, racists, and politicians, also suffer 'in the heat and cold.'
The Inferno of Metamorfosi begins with the verses: 'On the ruins of ancient cities grow flowers without color.'
By Dragonstar
Meeting winged demons in the scorched abyss smoking from the earth;
Rolling in the black sky: the dark realm of the damned.