CONQUEROR

                                                              CONQUEROR

Rock Progressivo Italiano

Italy

CONQUEROR is a contemporary Italian group. The line-up in their debut album is: Simona Rigano (keyboards & vocals), Gaetano Scarcella (guitar), Natale Russo (drums) and Tony Rose (bass). The history of this Sicilian group dates back to 1994 although the debut album was released only several years later. Before the debut album there had been many line-up changes and founder Natale Russo has remained the only original member of the group. The music of this group can be compared to an updated APOTEOSI because of the similar female vocals and overall melodic sense.

The debut album "Istinto" was released in 2003. It is an excellent album in the seventies tradition, but with a modern and personal sound. The group manages to produce beautiful melodic lines continuously with nice arrangements. The music is mostly driven by the excellent keyboard/guitar interplay. Also, the mesmerizing voice of Simona Rigano can't be overlooked because the female vocals do set them apart from the majority of similar groups.

A long summer tour proved the band was on its right way. The last line-up adjustment (with flute and sax) confers the band an excellent stability. In 2004 the group stages a multimedia show, warmly received by the public. In October 2005 the Conqueror released their second album called "STORIE FUORI DAL TEMPO". The album brought along other excellent critics as well as a large distribution at international level. In 2006 the group was singled out to participate at the ANDRIA PROG-FEST with other big groups of the Italian Prog scene.

In 2007 the Conqueror released their third album "74 GIORNI" which met with the most approval since their beginning. In the same year the album was nominated (among names such as PFM and New Trolls) the best album of Italian Prog-Music. In October the Conqueror took part in the Mantova Prog Festival together with the group "Delirium". In 2008 the track "NEBBIA AD OCCHI CHIUSI" was included in a Belgian compilation, and Conqueror participated at the final night of the international PROG-Resiste Festival. In 2009 the band is at work for a new album.

In the Spring of 2010, Conqueror released their most accomplished project to date, a full concept album on the life of the Mata Hari. "Madame Zelle" features a new line-up adding guitarist Mario Pollino and bassist Gianluca Villa to the core group of Simona Rigano, Sabrina Rigano, and Natale Russo.
The current band could be compared somewhat to the United States band Izz, with a similar melodic rock style, but with the benefit of elegant Italian vocals.

-Jim Russell/Finnforest 06/2010
-Conqueror
-Geezer

ALBUMS:


2003 - ISTINTO

Musicians

- Simona Rigano / keyboards & vocals
- Gaetano Scarcella / guitar
- Natale Russo / drums
- Tony Rose / bass

Tracks Listing

1. Storie di Favole (4:57)
2. Quartar (6:04)
3. Pensieri Fragili (7:46)
4. La Strada del Graal (5:56)
5. In the Cave (4:44)
6, Cristalli di Solitudine (8:32)
7. Porta Straniere (7:26)
8. Entropia (9:02)

Total Time: 54:24



Look!!

2005 - STORIE FUORI DAL TEMPO


Musicians

- Simona Rigano / vocals, keyboards, synthesizer
- Tino Nastasi / guitars
- Sabrina Rigano / flute, saxophone
- Fabio Ucchino / bass
- Natale Russo / drums, percussions

Guest musicians:
- Antonella Cernuto / harp (1, 6)
- Vincenzo Cavalli / choir (4)

Tracks Listing

1. Ouverture (6:00)
2. Mosaico di Colori (5:13)
3. No Photo (7:07)
4. Pagine di Poesie (6:45)
5. Klaus (5:42)
6. Morgana (31:16)
I) Il Sogno Rivive
II) Il Castello
III) Negli Abissi
IV) Morgana "Theme"
V) Puri Zaffiri
VI) Immagini a Distanza

Total Time: 62:03

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2009 - SPRAZZI DI LUCE(EP)

Musicians

Simona Rigano vocals, keyboards and synth
Natale Russo drums
Sabrina Rigano flute, sax on #2
Daniele Bambino bass (not on #3)
Ottavio Leo guitar on #1

plays only in bonus track:
Fabio Ucchino bass
Tino Nastasi guitar

Tracks Listing

1.Sprazzi Di Luce (4:37)
2. ...E Mi Manchi Tanto (4:30)
3. Semplice (3:41)

Bonus Track (live):
4. Pensieri Fragili (7:51)


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2010 - MADAME ZELLE


Musicians

-Simona Rigano / vocals and keyboards
-Natale Russo / drums and percussion
-Sabrina Rigano / flute and saxophone
-Mario Pollino / guitars
-Gianluca Villa / bass

-Concept idea, art and music direction by Natale Russo and Simona Rigano.
All songs written and arranged by CONQUEROR

Tracks Listing

1. Margaretha (14:42)
2. Indonesia (5:15)
3. Occhio dell'alba (4:53)
4. Fascino proibito (7:11)
5. Eleganza perfetta (6:24)
6. H-21 (7:35)
7. Doppio gioco (5:32)
8. Da sola (5:34)
9. Ad occhi alti (8:15)

Look!!

"....the life, the story, the legend of Margaretha Geertruida Zelle . (Mata Hari) 1876-1917"

The nine chapters of the concept album tell in chronological order the fascinating story of the legendary Mata Hari. It all begings in Leeuwarden, the Netherlands, and soon moves on to the Island of Java. Then back to Europe, to Paris and the most important cities of the old country, Mata Hari's life unfolds through the fabulous sceneries of the "belle epoque", while she gains international "superstar" status with her exotic dancing performances.
Hers is an irresistible charm, that defeats a number of gentlemen (mostly of whom wear a uniform), until the outbreak of World War I, that puts an end to all this plushy lifestyle. Then it is time for Mata's contacts with secret services and her modest career as a spy, serving Germany first, then France. The game is getting harder: Margaretha is arrested and put on trial as a spy by the French.
The epilogue: the famous execution, by firing squad...which hands over the story of Madame Zelle to legend.

Info:www.progarchives.com