Museo Rosenbach-Zarathustra (1973)

“Zarathustra”, the only album by the Italian band Museo Rosenbach, is a gem of progressive rock. This band rightfully earned their fame thanks to this excellent record based on the Übermensch theory of the German philosopher, poet, and composer Friedrich Nietzsche. Founded in the early 1970s in the town of Bordighera, in northwestern Italy, by keyboardist Pit Corradi, drummer Giancarlo Golzi, guitarist Enzo Merogno, bassist Alberto Moreno, and singer Stefano Galifi, this unique album, despite containing the harmony and lyricism typical of Italian progressive rock, possesses a highly original symphonic quality thanks to the dynamic keyboards. All of this, combined with the interludes, the original and expressive Italian vocals, and the guitar passages, makes this album a true contemporary classic. The epic title track is a breathtaking saga divided into five parts, each with its own distinct atmosphere and musicality, crowned by bombastic mellotron sounds, a tight rhythm section, and masterful instrumentation. The remaining tracks, while not quite reaching the same heights, are nonetheless agile and energetic, with organ sounds and subtle guitars bringing this legendary album to a close.