Area Members, Gear & Sound
Trance, released Area 1 - Steve Paton & John Litchfield
Members
Select a Area band member to check out the music gear they use live and in the studio.
About
Area is an influential Italian progressive rock band that emerged in 1972, known for its daring blend of jazz-rock, symphonic rock, and krautrock with strong political messages. The group initially consisted of Demetrio Stratos (vocals, organ, harpsichord, percussion), Giulio Capiozzo (drums, percussion), and Patrizio Fariselli (piano, electric piano, bass clarinet, percussion, ARP synthesizer). Their lineup evolved with Giampaolo Tofani (electric guitar, EMS guitar synthesizer, flute) and Ares Tavolazzi (bass, double bass, trombone, pocket trumpet) joining the ensemble later. Area's bold musical experimentation and activism were encapsulated in their debut album Arbeit Macht Frei, which combined elements of Mediterranean, Balkan, and Middle Eastern folk music with the avant-garde and jazz rock influences of bands like Soft Machine.
How to Sound Like Area
Area's sound is characterized by its complex, layered compositions and dynamic interplay between instruments, creating a blend that is both intricate and powerful. Their music features aggressive yet melodic guitar lines, often enriched with the use of synthesizers and electronic effects to add a futuristic and experimental edge. Percussion and drums drive the music with a mix of traditional rhythms and unconventional time signatures, giving it an unpredictable yet cohesive feel. Vocals range from operatic to guttural, adding a dramatic flair that complements the band's political and philosophical themes. Musicians aiming to emulate Area's sound should focus on integrating analog synthesizers and diverse percussion instruments to achieve the group's signature blend of rock and avant-garde jazz, while also exploring non-Western scales and modalities to capture their unique global influences.
Discography
Arbeit Macht Frei
1973
Caution Radiation Area
1974
Maledetti
1976
Anto / logicamente
1977
1978 (Gli dei se ne vanno, gli arrabbiati restano!) [2018 Remaster]
1978
Tic & Tac
1980
The Falcon
1992
Parigi-Lisbona (Live)
1996
Concerto Teatro Uomo (Live 1977)
1996
Gioia e Rivoluzione
1996
Event 76 (Live)
2013
Are(A)zione (Live)
2013
Area
2015