Deus Ex Machina
Mauro Collina – electric and acoustic guitars
Alessandro Bonetti – violin and mandolin
Alessandro Porreca ­– bass
Luigi Ricciardiello – organ, electric piano and synthesizers
Claudio Trotta – drums
Alberto Piras – vocals

Following an eight-year absence, the Italian rock/progressive group Deus Ex Machina bursts back onto the international scene with Devoto. Blazing into contemporary focus with Devoto, Deus Ex Machina is poised to transcend the accomplishments of its past.

Devoto retains Deus Ex Machina’s distinctive blend of fiery, complexly designed music, passionate bel canto vocals, virtuosic instrumental performances and analogue-heavy textures. Here as before, DEM’s music combines both the energy and beauty of early Mahavishnu Orchestra and Larks' Tongues in Aspic-era King Crimson; classic 70s hard rock influences from AC/DC, Deep Purple and, most unmistakably, Led Zeppelin; hints of RIO-tinged avant-progressive; and the unmistakable Mediterranean vibe of fellow 'Rock Progressivo Italiano' combos like PFM. But just as each successive album has represented something different yet still unmistakably, unequivocally DEM, Devoto takes a more direct, immediate approach: a more hard-hitting, gut-punching, visceral Deus Ex Machina.

"After Imparis [their 2008 live/studio release], we faced a lack of energy," explains Alberto Piras, one of progressive music's most original and exhilarating vocalists. "We needed to understand where we wanted to go and whether we would be capable of continuing to make DEM music. The recording of Devoto was quite quick, but was the result of a very long, thoughtful process. Our idea was to test different ground than we had before; still being DEM, but with a more straightforward, simple musical language in the context of dense and relevant compositions." Piras continues, "This is what we think rock is about: its simplicity, but also its expressive richness. We tried to compose 'easier' songs, still full of emotion and intensity. We want our fans to feel our blood flowing on this record, which is somewhat in contrast to a tradition that describes us as 'brainy and difficult'. So we wrote and played our songs more from our guts than from our heads."

For this album, the band wanted to do something different and came up with an idea that presented a fun challenge to themselves. They had never played in France and on the outskirts of Paris, there was a world-class nightclub - Le Triton - that also featured a full recording studio as well as the ability to do a professional video shoot during performances. The band rented Le Triton for 3 days and spent two days recording. They also played a concert which was filmed. The result is Imparis, a double set that comprises a studio album of new material by the band as well as the band's first-ever DVD. The studio CD contains 45' of new material while the DVD functions as a career overview of their last 10 years, featuring two songs each from their albums Equilibrismo Da Insofferenza, Cinque and Imparis. The concert program of the DVD is 60 minutes of professionally shot and edited live footage of the band performing completely live - there are no 'fixes or sweetening' of the performances and consequently, fans should find it more realistic and representative of a genuine live musical performance by a great, tight band than a typical 'live' DVD. Also included are extras: interviews (funny and enlightening) + Paris backstage + a short, fascinating, avant-garde, prepared piano performance by Fabrizio of a one of the album's works + excerpts from Chapel Hill [USA 1996] + a totally over the top Italian TV performance [1996] + an charmngly dated music video that the band did in 1993. Total time of DVD is about 2 hours. Since they probably won't be coming to your hometown this week/month/year, this one is a no-brainer for their many fans.

“Driving, aggressive fusion mixed with wickedly complex rhythms, hints of R.I.O. and avant-garde sounds, and Alberto Piras’ unbelievable vocal skills...essential.” – Exposé

One of the finest avant/progressive bands in the world today, Deus Ex Machina have carved out an enviable reputation with their amazingly high energy live shows and their incredible previous live & studio albums. They are an Italian sextet of vocals, violin, Hammond organ/Fender Rhodes piano/Arp Odyssey synth, guitar, bass and drums. All of the players are top notch, but, as we all know, the most attention is always paid to the vocalist, & in the classically trained Alberto Piras, who sings in both Latin and Italian (!), Deus Ex Machina have one of the greatest voices in rock ever. Cinque is their fifth studio work, and is a astonishing, heady blend of jazz/rock fusion with heavy progressive rock. This is the first album by D.E.M. released outside of Italy, and I can not begin to tell you how proud we are to have them on Cuneiform.

“The growth of the music has been constant in the band’s career, making it difficult to compare what have become stages in an evolving work. ...This remains pure Deus Ex Machina -- lyrical, provoking, and genre-pushing.... Like previous opuses, this album requires a certain number of listens before any melody has a chance to gel in your mind but, when it does, it becomes very powerful. Of course, the music is propelled and dominated by Alberto Piras’ riveting operatic voice.” – All Music Guide