Area grew to be one of the most respected and important bands of the blooming 70s Italian progressive rock scene. The youth of the time identified with their socialist lyrics and Area soon grew to prominence, not only because of their political attitude, but also because the band was founded on strong, virtuosic musicianship. For aficionados of Italian progressive rock, their debut album Arbeit Macht Frei is considered a classic. The band was led by Demetrio Stratos, a highly original and talented Greek-born singer who used his voice as an instrument. Area's sound was an odd mish-mash, drawing from rock, jazz, and Eastern and Arabic music, and it was this blend of all sorts of music that made the band stand out. Early Area had prominent saxophone work from Victor uBusnello, but when he left along with bassist Patrick Djivas (replaced by Ares Tavolazzi), the Area sound became more guitar and keyboard oriented.
Area released four studio albums and one live album before Demetrio Stratos's untimely death in 1979. The group was disbanded, but reappeared as Area II in the mid 1980s, although this was in fact a project by Area drummer Giulio Capiozzo with session musicians. It released two albums between 1986-87. Patrizio Fariselli joined Area II in 1997 for the album Chernobyl 9771. This group toured until its split in 1999. Capiozzo died a year later.
Discography:
Arbeit Macht Frei (1973)
Caution Radiation Area (1974)
Crac! (1975)
Area(A)zione (1975, live)
Maledetti (1976)
Anto/logicamente (1977, compilation)
1978 Gli dei se ne vanno, gli arrabbiati restano (1978)
Event 76 (1979, live 1976)
Area70 (1980)
Tic & Tac (1980)
Concerto Teatro Uomo (1995, live 1976)
Parigi-Lisbona (1996, live 1976)
Chernobyl 7991 (1997)
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