Caution Radiation Area by Area

Caution Radiation Area,  Area's second album, from 1974.
It falls between 1973's  Arbeit macht frei and 1975's Crac! and it's already rare to find three albums of such quality in a row from a band. They will go further: this album features the group's historic lineup, which recorded six albums between 1974 and 1977.

It is a highly experimental album filled with their trademark avant-garde dissonances, experimental sound inlays, and long, complex instrumental passages, blending fusion with vocal effects and abstract compositions.

Some tracks stand out for their creativity, while others for their chaos, the uneasiness they unleash, and the cacophony they create. This album transcends the confines of jazz fusion toward avant-garde and experimental moments.

A sometimes dark album whose dissonances seem to emulate radiation and war, featuring organ, harpsichord, trombone, and clarinet throughout this instrumental exploration.

Demetrio Stratos moves with unique mastery between melodies and vocal sounds that distinguish him in this artistic statement against war and the concept of radiation.

- The album begins with the lyrics of the first song in modern Greek, which makes me happy, having learned them when I lived in Athens. It's called "Cometa rossa" (Red Comet), a beautiful song, worth much more than a simple translation.

Musically, the track is an intense fusion of synth drums and atmospheric vocals.

- ZYG (Crescita Zero) is an experimental piece with unusual sounds, spoken word, jazz, and avant-garde.

- Brujo is a track characterized by sounds that come at us from every angle, explosions of drums and piano, in a jazz-leaning mood with extensive drum and keyboard work, and even delirious vocals.

- Mirage continues the experimentation, with arrhythmic and disorienting sounds and hints of fusion.
- Lobotomy is a sequence of chaotic, indescribable sounds, synth noises intentionally set to high pitch to disturb the listener.

It's a masterpiece of prog fusion, but the extreme experimentation makes it difficult to listen to, so I recommend it to lovers of experimental music, avant-garde music, and Rock in Opposition (RIO).

My humble opinion is that the fusion on this album should be taught in music schools. A gigantic album.

Tracklist

1. Cometa Rossa (4:00)
2. ZYG (Crescita Zero) (5:27)
3. Brujo (8:02)
4. Mirage (10:27)
5. Lobotomia (4:23)
Duration  32:19

LineUp

- Demetrio Stratos - vocals, organ, harpsichord, steel drum, percussion
- Paolo Tofani - guitar, flute, EMS synthesizer
- Patrizio Fariselli - piano, electric piano, ARP synthesizer, bass clarinet
- Ares Tavolazzi - bass, double bass, trombone
- Giulio Capiozzo - drums and percussion

Note: All links to the musicians' works are in the TAGS under the article title or on the "Artists" page