“Sesta Strada Lungo Il Tempo” by Delirium, 2026 album.
“Sesta Strada Lungo Il Tempo” is the sixth studio album by Delirium, the historic Genoese prog rock band that gave us the hit “Jesahel” in the ’70s.
This record marks their return and enthusiastically celebrates their long story, bringing it into the present without being swayed by the fashions of the moment.
As the long-standing members have said in various interviews, “Sesta Strada Lungo Il Tempo” is conceived as a work of continuity, memory, and awareness.
The initial inspiration was the celebration of the band’s sixty-year career, born in the late ’60s as I Sagittari. Delirium wanted to explore themes such as waiting, aging, and life’s reckonings, placing them in a typically Ligurian atmosphere. The album does not look at time with nostalgia, but observes it metaphorically “from the roadside,” collecting the stories of outcasts, travelers, and people out of time.
Delirium are one of the most significant, innovative, and original bands of Italian progressive rock of the ’70s. From Genoa, they managed to blend prog rock with strong folk, jazz, and symphonic influences, leaving a lasting mark also on Italian pop music.
The group formed in Genoa in 1970, heir to the beat group I Sagittari. The turning point came with the arrival of the very young multi-instrumentalist Ivano Fossati (vocals, flute, and guitar).
Their debut album arrived in 1971, “Dolce acqua,” an album that is a masterpiece, blending progressive rock, acoustic atmospheres, and jazz perfectly.
When they took part in the Sanremo Festival with the song “Jesahel,” the track became a huge success and an international hit, selling millions of copies and turning the band into a mass phenomenon.
After the triumph of Jesahel, Ivano Fossati decided to leave Delirium to devote himself to his successful solo career. The band, however, did not lose heart and replaced him with Martin Grice, an English singer and flautist. Between 1972 and 1974, under the guidance of keyboardist Ettore Vigo and the other historic members, Delirium released two top-level prog albums: Lo scemo e il villaggio (1972) and Delirium III - Journey through the archipelagos of time (1974). In these works, the jazz-rock and symphonic arrangements become particularly complex.
In 1975, after the release of the single “Signore, la notte,” artistic differences led to the group’s breakup, ending their first cycle.
After almost thirty years of hiatus, in the early 2000s three historic members – Ettore Vigo, Martin Grice, and Pino Di Santo – decided to bring the band back, returning to play regularly both live and in the studio. They released the live album “Vibrazioni notturne” in 2006 and the album of new material “Il nome del vento” in 2009. In 2015 “L’era della menzogna” came out, a mature concept album that tackles social and political themes with a powerful, contemporary prog sound.
Today, the band continues its path under the name Delirium International Progressive Group (Delirium I.P.G.). Led by tireless founding keyboardist Ettore Vigo and the voice of Alessandro Corvaglia, in May 2026 they released “Sesta Strada Lungo Il Tempo,” proving that, more than fifty years after their beginnings, the spirit of Genoese progressive rock is still alive and constantly evolving.
“Sesta Strada Lungo Il Tempo” (2026) is an album that perfectly blends the legend of ’70s progressive rock with the best musicians from the Italian neo-prog, jazz, and rock scene. The album boasts a lineup of highly talented musicians, coming from different bands and projects.
Among the historic members, we find Ettore Vigo on keyboards and backing vocals, a founding member of Delirium since 1970 and author of some of their most famous music. Martin Frederick Grice, a British multi-instrumentalist, handles the winds (flute and sax) and backing vocals. Joining Delirium in 1972, he helped define their jazz-prog sound and also has long experience in European jazz and avant-garde lineups.
Alessandro Corvaglia is the modern face of Delirium, with his powerful voice, acoustic guitar, and keyboards. He is one of the best singers of the New Italian Prog and also the frontman of La Maschera di Cera; he has collaborated with Aurora Lunare and in the supergroup Christadoro. Since 2014, he has brought his energy to Delirium.
Michele Cusato, guitarist, composer, and producer, takes care of guitars and backing vocals. With long experience as a session player and soloist in rock, metal, and instrumental fusion projects, he has brought a breath of modernity to the band’s electric sound since 2014.
Fabio Chighini, bassist, has been the beating heart of Delirium since 2001, the year of their reunion. His rhythmic presence is essential to the band.
Enrico Tixi, drummer and percussionist, joined the band in 2023, replacing Alfredo Vandresi, and has long experience in the Ligurian hard rock and blues scene, bringing a touch of experience and grit.
To bring the concept album to life, a few special guests were also involved.
Andrea Bottesini, actor and cabaret performer (previously seen on Zelig), lends his narrating voice on the tracks “Schiavo della Viltà” and “Il Riposo del Pirata.” Giulia Ermirio, violist from the Ligurian classical and avant-garde scene, enriches the music with her talent. Alice Vigo, a daughter of art (of Ettore Vigo), is among the backing vocalists. Finally, the Banda Deliranti Cantù, a choral ensemble, supports the band on the pirate-themed track, adding a touch of color and liveliness.
The title “Sesta Strada lungo il Tempo” contains two key elements. First of all, the “Sixth Road” represents the band’s sixth studio album. Then, “Time” is the theme running through the whole album. It is a concept album about travel, not only physical but also imaginary, inner, and temporal, and it explores the group’s memory and identity. The songs tell stories of characters, places, moments, and tales that intertwine in the flow of time.
This album is an excellent mix of ’70s Italian Progressive Rock with a modern, energetic, and almost avant-garde touch. The band manages to keep its historic sound, but with a decidedly updated sonic impact. The tracks are a journey through majestic arrangements and complex instrumental flights. Ettore Vigo’s keyboards, with their generous use of Mellotron, Hammond, and vintage synthesizers, create a truly engaging symphonic and orchestral line. Martin Grice’s winds (flute and saxophone) add a jazzy touch and folk shades, creating a perfect acoustic contrast with the more distorted and electric moments.
The album also benefits from the experience of the more recent members. Michele Cusato’s guitar ranges from delicate acoustic arpeggios to rock riffs and solos, at times prog-metal, for a rich and varied sound. Enrico Tixi’s drums, with their solid and powerful groove drawn from hard rock and blues, give the rhythm sections a physical and dynamic push.
The classic commercial song form is abandoned in favor of a cinematic musical narrative. The highlight is “Schiavo della Viltà,” a suite of almost 22 minutes divided into several movements. The time changes, the shifts in atmosphere (from intimate moments to choral explosions), and Andrea Bottesini’s spoken voice turn the record into an almost theatrical rock work, a truly unique experience.
Alessandro Corvaglia’s dramatic and expressive voice, typical of Italian neo-prog, intertwines with complex choirs. The presence of imposing choirs (such as the Banda Deliranti Cantù in “Il Riposo del Pirata”) and female backing voices creates an epic, solemn atmosphere, at times pirate-like or seafaring, recalling the band’s Ligurian roots.
An album that won me over and I’m sure it will win you over too! Excellent!
My Version
Label: Black Widow Records – BWR 290
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album, Limited Edition, Stereo
Country: Italy
Released: 22 May 2026
Tracklist
LP-A1 Schiavo Della Viltà 21:56
LP-B1 Io Clochard 5:45
LP-B2 Il Riposo Del Pirata 6:00
LP-B3 Della Strada Il Ritorno 5:33
LP-B4 Parole Nel Vento 6:02
Lineup
Bass Guitar, Backing Vocals – Fabio Chighini
Choir – Enrico Bianchi (tracks: LP-B4), La Banda Deliranti Cantù (tracks: LP-B2), Raffaella Izzo (tracks: LP-B4)
Drums, Percussion, Backing Vocals – Enrico Tixi
Electric Guitar, Backing Vocals – Michele Cusato
Keyboards, Backing Vocals – Ettore Vigo
Lead Vocals, Keyboards, Acoustic Guitar, Backing Vocals – Alessandro Corvaglia
Saxophone, Flute, Backing Vocals – Martin Grice
Viola – Giulia Ermirio (tracks: LP-A1, LP-B1)
Vocals – Alice Vigo (tracks: LP-B1, LP-B2)
Voice Actor – Andrea Bottesini (tracks: LP-A1, LP-B2)
