Founded in Riva del Garda, Italy in 1988, Runaway Totem have long stood among the most distinctive progressive rock acts of the Italian scene. Guided by multi-instrumentalist and composer Roberto Gottardi, the band developed a sound rooted in rich instrumentation, expressive vocals and expansive compositions, drawing from Progressive Rock, Zeuhl and Space Rock traditions.
Their twelfth studio album Creators, released in 2024, marks one of the most ambitious chapters in the band’s history. Largely driven by Gottardi—who performs guitars, bass, keyboards, synthesizers and vocals—the album is expanded through the Intergalactic Totem Arkestra, featuring contributions from David Jackson (Van der Graaf Generator), Nik Turner (Hawkwind), Martin Grice, and a carefully chosen ensemble of vocalists and musicians.
Structured as two extended movements, Creators and Red Star, the album unfolds as a dense and immersive journey where saxophones, flutes and wordless vocals shape a cosmic, often intense atmosphere. Clearly informed by the spirit of Magma and Hawkwind, the music embraces complexity without losing its sense of direction.
Creators is a demanding yet rewarding release, recommended for listeners drawn to adventurous, symphonic and space-oriented progressive music.
