The
Legend Of The Holy Circle is the second album by Three Monks, an
instrumental project from Arezzo led by composer and organist Paolo
“Julius” Lazzari and bassist Maurizio “Bozorius” Bozzi. As on
the previous album, during the recording sessions they were helped by
Claudio “Ursinius” Cuseri and Roberto “Placidus” Bichi who,
in turns, took charge of drums. In my opinion, this work, released in
2013 on Black Widow Records, confirms all the good qualities of its
predecessor and goes even further with the musicians trying elaborate
a real storyline through their music: in fact, according to an
interview with the band, this is a concept album, a kind of score for
a film that you have to build up. Anyway, there are no liner notes to
explain the plot and there's nothing but the music, the art cover by
Margherita Zanotti, some pictures and the titles of the tracks to
suggest how the story unfurls. All the rest is left to the
sensibility and imagination of the listener...
The
opener “The Holy Circle” sets the atmosphere with dark pipe organ
rides and frenzied bass lines. Traditionally, circles were believed
by ritual magicians to form a protective barrier between themselves
and what they summoned and the Holy Circle is supposed to be the main
line of defence against the forces of the Outside. On the art cover
you can see three mysterious characters with their hands stretched
out on a strange sphere where shines the light of a dangerous,
powerful force while here the music evokes esoteric practices and
infernal dances...
The
following “Into Mystery” begins by threatening, obsessive bass
lines and a hypnotic marching beat, then solemn church-like organ
notes soar taking you across dark places where strange rituals are
celebrated. It could be the perfect background for the reading of the
works of H. P. Lovecraft or Gustav Meyrink...
“The
Battle Of Marduk” is even tenser. It seems to describe a raging
battle against the devils summoned from the other-world. What kind of
devils? Well, Marduk is the Babylonian name of a late-generation god
from ancient Mesopotamia associated with water, vegetation,
judgement, and magic... Scenes from films like The Mummy or The Scorpion King could come to mind while listening to the different
passages of this complex track full of dark energy.
“The
Rest Of The Sacred Swarm” comes like the calm after the storm. It's
a beautiful adagio for pipe organ solo that draws you between the
desert aisles of a Gothic cathedral. It leads to “Rieger” where
you can experience a breathtaking mystical experience surrounded by
strong smells of incense. Th title of this track refers to the
Austrian master organ-builder from the XIX century Franz Rieger and
in the inner sleeve you can admire a picture of a sumptuous pipe
organ in Prague Cathedral...
Next
comes the long, complex epic “The Strife Of Souls”, a magnificent
track that every now and again reminds me of Emerson, Lake &
Palmer and drives you through the many different moods and situations
of a terrible conflict between Good and Evil, with angels and demons
fighting all around. The brilliant “Toccata Neogotica #5
(Epilogue)” closes the circle evoking the immense force of destiny
and waking you up from your uneasy dreams... On the whole a great
album that everyone is free to interpret as he likes but that is
absolutely worth listening to!
Three
Monks: The Legend Of The Holy Circle (2013). Other opinions:
Kev
Rowland: This is very much a band, all pulling together in the
same direction, showing just how powerful a pipe organ can be in the
hands of someone who really knows what he is doing... This is an
incredible example of keyboard based progressive rock, and fans of
this style definitely need to seek this out... (read the complete
review HERE)
Mark
Johnson: Sit back and revel in this unique opportunity to emerse
yourself in prophetic church organ symphonies without vocals. After
all, words would only detract from the music. Thankfully there are
still musicians inspired by this form of music still creating... If
you like the keyboards playing a primary role in the music you enjoy,
then this album is definitely not to be missed... (read the
complete review HERE)
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