Minstrel's debut album, “Faust”, in my opinion is a very interesting work but for the band it
was very difficult to perform it on stage on account of the many
characters and voices. So, after its release, the
band started to work on a new opera but this time they decided to
conceive it as a kind of monologue with the voice of the protagonist
backed only by a choir. The new album, “Ahab”, was inspired by Herman Melville’s novel Moby-Dick and was released in 2009 with a line up featuring Mauro
Ghilardini (lead and backing vocals, piano, keyboards), Michele
Savoldelli (electric and acoustic guitars), Gianpaolo Pasini (drums) and
Alberto Bigoni (bass). The overall sound here is sharper than on the
previous album but the final result perfectly fits the storyline and
Mauro Ghilardini’s operatic vocals are magnificent.
The
opener “Vendetta” (Revenge) is full of dark energy. You can imagine the
protagonist, Captain Ahab, pursuing his white obsession crossing a
ghastly sea. He looks for revenge, he wants to kill the white whale that
injured and humiliated him. He can’t give up his crazy dream... “Oh, My
God, you know”! / I feel in my limbs blood, sweat, and tears / They
devour my bones bent by memories...”.
The
short instrumental “Presagio” (Omen) lead us to the departure of a
wild, cursed hunt across the sea... On “Partenza” (Departure) we can
hear the captain shouting his orders... “Hey!
Raise the anchor! / The wind will see us off! / Starbuck at the helm!/
Ishmael on the pontoon! You, on the lookout! And you, up there... And
you, to the topmast! Go! Forward! Hey! Raise the anchor!”. Wind and
sunlight now swell the sails and the land rapidly vanishes behind the
ship while the call of the see resounds in the air. The adventure begins
with a frenzied rhythm and a dark feeling...
“Oceano”
(Ocean) is a long, complex instrumental track that describes the ship
sailing across the sea. It begins calmly and the mood is dreamy, then
the dream turns into a nightmare and aggressive electric guitar riffs
announce a storm and a troubled night.
“Alba”
(Dawn) is dreamy and melodic. As dawn breaks and the light shines
through the clouds the voice of Mauro Ghilardini delicately soars from a
calm piano pattern drawing hopes and doubts. Memories flows inside the
protagonist as a river that looks for the sun. Then he makes a vow... “I
will sail forever pursuing this dream / As long as I have strength and
breath / I won’t forget this promise / And I’ll win this wager / And
I’ll seek the knowledge / Until I’ll understand the true meaning of
life...”.
On
“Caccia” (Hunt) the rhythm rises again. It’s a piece full of energy
that describes the ups and downs of an endless, cursed ride across the
ocean looking for the white whale... “Go on, never stop! Go on and on,
you’ll never lose your prey...Vile is the harpooner and vile is the
captain if the blood of his prey doesn’t stain his hand!... My hand, you
can’t fail / Take hold of the gleaming steel and strike... / Fury of
the seas, listen to me / The time of revenge has come... Cruel fate, you
turn us away from our course! But who seeks justice finds glory and
renown...”.
“Rampone”
(Harpoon) describes the inner conflict that is raging in the heart of
the captain. The music is evocative and dark. Melodic passages
alternates with fiery guitar riffs and “deep reed” colours. You can hear
an infernal smith forging a magic, evil harpoon... “Forge the point in
pagan blood / I want a harpoon in mortal temper / Baptismal blood, save
the baleful iron that marks every inch of me... Wind,
renew my thoughts of violence! Rain, refresh my warrior instinct!...
Following my mind, my fatal vow / I shall die, but I’ll be free...”.
“Tempesta” (Storm) is an evocative instrumental track featuring a sparkling electric guitar work that leads to “Delirio” (Madness), a monologue with narrative vocals and an orchestral background that describes the madness of the captain and the horror feelings he experiences when he looks at himself in a mirror. Eventually he comes back to consciousness for the tragic grand finale.
The last track “Morte” (Death) is a long, complex epic. It begins with a heartfelt recitative part where the voice of Mauro Ghilardini is backed and counter-pointed by the powerful rhythm section. Wave after wave, memory after memory the captain realizes that his hunt for knowledge is useless and that the unknown is still an enigma for him, “a past overflowing with mystery that returns like a wave on the shores of the present, thence surrounded like valiant, naive men by the dark sky of hope that wraps bodies like a clean shroud...”. Ahab begins to feel guilty and his words sound like a lay prayer to Mother-Nature but it’s too late!
Now the music describes the fighting between the men and the white monster... Then the struggle gives way to a calmer part and melodic, operatic vocals soar... This time there’s nothing more to say, there’s nothing but the sea, no harbour on the horizon, no time left to regret, no goal to reach... “It’s an everlasting trial... / An inner battle to discover / A doubt to abandon / A new faith to set off towards oceans of light / Immense but fragile expectations...”. The captain’s obsession leads him and his crew to perdition and death. When the sounds of the battle fade away we can hear a child playing and singing as a final message of hope. A dreamy, instrumental coda concludes this excellent work. On the whole a really good album featuring a beautiful packaging and a booklet full of drawing and images related to the plot. Do not miss it!
You can listen to the complete album HERE
Minstrel: Ahab (2009). Other opinions:
Thomas Szirmay: Minstrel
waited for 10 years before releasing their sophomore follow-up to the
fabulous "Faust", an absolute shiny icon in my prog collection. That can
be a ridiculous interval but so many prog musicians have day jobs and
family obligations that one can only patiently wait, even though I must
admit I was fearful of another one-shot wonder. Their lusty combination
of operatic vocals, driving rhythm section and scorching guitar is a
formula to die for, and it is maintained on Ahab in spades (and clubs
and diamonds and hearts!)... (read the complete review HERE)
Read the interview with the band at progarchives. Click HERE
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