Debut album of the Sicilian band Conqueror, released in 2003.

Review on ProgArchives by 1967/76

'Istinto' (eng: 'Instinct') is an album that smells of oranges, lemons and almond trees in bloom! And in my opinion 'Istinto' is also one of the more good albums of RPI, because 100% Italian but at the same time open to contamination from outside without the typical transformations of the 70's! In a certain sense 'Istinto' sounds like a new album from Le Orme but with less baroque impact and with more magic, feeling and emotions. Sure the guitars of Gaetano Scarcella are very (too?) Neoclassical. But in the end, this too is a hallmark of this 'Istinto'. 'Istinto' is also forged with the inspiration of Queen, PFM, Banco Del Mutuo Soccorso and other Italian Prog bands but also with 80's Rock (Journey, Toto, Aviator, Rush, etc...) so to produce an album not so distant for an RPI version of Deep Purple. It is true, also, that I heard in attentive manner also Il Castello Di Atlante and yes... These two bands are similars. Conqueror not use Van Der Graff Generator or Gentle Giant for inspirations (and in this sense this is a surprise for an RPI band) also if Pink Floyd and Genesis are good inspirations (hey... After all we are talking about an Italian band... We're not talking peanuts...!).

Speaking about 'Istinto'... Noteworthy, is in the foreground they want to put the magic of emotion. The construction of the songs is simple: Neoclassical guitar, tons of Rock mixed with Classic Music and Genesis (Peter Gabriel's Genesis) but with a great female touch. And this is a pure surprise for me. Simona Rigano be compared to Walt Disney's Bambi or Minnie Mouse... Only then comes to my mind Grandma Duck! Is hard not to fall in love with his voice (as for Donald Duck is hard not to fall in love with the cake of Grandma Duck!) and this is due to her beautiful voice.

I do not have a preferred song in this 'Istinto'. Honestly I admit that it is extremely difficult to describe how I feel when I listening these songs. Every day I discover new colors and new emotions. I should probably retire in a Tibetan monastery to discover the truth!

Great debut album, sure! Of Course...