IN NOMINE DEUS

“Deus lo vult” is the third album by Il Bacio della Medusa, a band from Perugia that was formed in 2002. It was self-released in 2012 with the help of Glare Art Communication and features a beautiful packaging with an art work by Licia Marino mixing photographs and drawings. Violinist Daniele Rinchi left the band after the excellent second album and now the line up is reduced to a quintet featuring Simone Cecchini (vocals, acoustic guitar, harp), Diego Petrini (drums, percussion, mellotron, organ), Federico Caprai (bass), Simone Brozzetti (electric guitar) and Eva Morelli (flute, sax, theremin). The overall sound is harder than in the previous work but in my opinion the music perfectly fits the storyline and the final result is magnificent. In fact, “Deus lo vult” is a concept album inspired by the first crusade where sarcasm and irony prevail upon epic tones. It tells the story of an unfortunate, naive lord from Umbria who leaves his land and wife in search for glory and richness in the Holy Land. Well, if I had to compare this work to a film I would say that it's definitely closer to Brancaleone at the Crusades by Mario Monicelli than to Kingdom of Heaven by Ridley Scott!

The short opener “Invocazione alle Muse” (Invocation to the Muses) sets the atmosphere with Simone Cecchini who here plays the role of a minstrel... “Let the wind blow strong / And as for magic / Let it suggest the song / Of the young Simplicio...”. On the following “Indignatio (Infedeli in Terra Santa)” (Indignatio – Infidels in the Holy Land) the rhythm rises while the music and lyrics weave a sense of organized delirium. This piece describes the atmosphere of mystic fanaticism and hysteria that leads to every religion war. The Earth seems to give birth to dark, venomous scorpions while infidels plunder and celebrate their pagan rites in the Holy Land. You can hear curses and invocations to the divine wrath... “Hurry up! Hurry up! / The whole Christianity has to rise and fight...”.

On “Urbano II bandisce la Prima Crociata” (Urban II summons the First Crusade) Simone Cecchini plays the role of pope Urban II blessing Godfrey of Bouillon and his army in an almost ludicrous way and there's a strong sense of parody. Next comes “Simplicio”, a beautiful ballad which describes the protagonist of the story on his way to the Holy Land and his meeting with an attractive girl who reads his hand and predicts him a gloomy future. She offers him shelter and love but our hero turns her down and rides on... “When he gave up counting so many suns and too many moons / He attained his destination...”.

“Deus lo vult” (God wills it) begins softly with exotic flavours in the air, the music here recalls the score of Lawrence of Arabia by Maurice Jarre. Then the rhythm suddenly rises and you can hear the battle raging and see the blood flowing in deep purple colours... “Shoot the arrow and run / Towards those towers... God wills it! / Beyond those gates / Death is waiting for you... God wills it...”.

“Verso casa” (On the way home) tells of a sad return. Simplicio is disappointed, for him there's no glory nor land nor richness since the leaders and the most powerful knights make the rules and for him there's nothing left but pain. So he comes back home with no booty but, at least, the hope to find again his faithful wife cheers him up. The final track reveals a nasty surprise... “La Beffa (Non un trono, non un regno... Solo sdegno)” (The prank – No throne, no kingdom... Only outrage) describes the moment when he finds out his spouse cheating on him. She's in bed with the local priest and Simplicio goes mad. In his final explosion of rage he's merciless and burns them alive... “Get ready the stake...”. Well, a real flamboyant finale!

Il Bacio della medusa : Deus lo vult (2012). Other opinions:

Raffaella Benvenuto-Berry: Besides the outstanding quality of the music, which successfully blends a vintage feel with a thoroughly modern allure, Il Bacio della Medusa should be commended for the painstaking attention devoted to the lyrics – though, unfortunately, non-speakers of Italian are bound to miss out on this aspect, as even the best translation is unlikely to convey the stylistic subtlety of Simone Cecchini’s work. In any case, Deus Lo Vult is undoubtedly poised to become one of the standout Italian prog releases of this first part of the 21st century. Especially recommended to fans of bands at the heavier end of the RPI spectrum (such as Osanna and the already-mentioned Balletto di Bronzo and Biglietto per l’Inferno), this intense slice of top-notch musical skill and exquisitely Italian drama will probably be mentioned in many “best of 2012” lists at the end of the year... (read the complete review HERE)

More info

http://www.reverbnation.com/ilbaciodellamedusa 

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Il-Bacio-della-Medusa/133459493379262

COLLECTING MEMORIES

L'Estate di San Martino began life in Perugia in 1975 on the initiative of Marco Pentiricci and Giuseppe Petrazzini. In the seventies the band had no chance to release a full length album and it wasn't until 2006, after a long hiatus and many line up changes, that they managed to release their début work, “Alder”, a concept album recorded live in 1983. In 2007 the band released a second album called “Febus”, featuring old stuff from the nineties re-arranged, and, finally, in 2012 they released what is their best work so far, “Talsete di Marsantino”, on the independent label AMS/BTF. 

The current line up features Marco Pentiricci (sax, flute, acoustic guitar), Riccardo Regi (electric and acoustic guitar), Stefano Tofi (keyboards, vocoder, acoustic guitar), Massimo Baracchi (bass) and Sergio Servadio (drums) but during the recording sessions they were helped by some prestigious guests such as Steve Hackett (electric guitar), Francesco Di Giacomo (vocals) and Bernardo Lanzetti (vocals). The result in my opinion is excellent and this work is a must to have for every prog collector.

“Talsete di Marsantino” is a concept album based on a short story by Riccardo Regi that you can find in the booklet (if you can't speak Italian do not worry, in the booklet there's a translation into English as well). The protagonist of the story is an imaginary character, an archivist who in an Autumn day receives a mysterious letter containing nothing but a verb: “to pick”. The album is almost completely instrumental, there are some jazzy passages but calm, dreamy atmospheres prevail. As time is running out the protagonist has to hurry to collect memories, sounds from the past, fragments of human knowledge and dreams. What kind of link can you find between an enormous clock hidden in a mountain that chimes just one time per century, the strange fossil of a bacteria and an ancient lake in California?  

Maybe the beautiful vocals provided by Francesco Di Giacomo could give you a clue... “It will only take a time equal to eight to this last work / If standing towards North it will be East / And standing towards South it will be West...”. Is it not clear? Well, all in all it doesn't matter: just let the music draw you away! If you like bands such as Genesis, Banco del Mutuo Soccorso or Premiata Forneria Marconi I'm sure you'll enjoy this magnificent album as well.

You can watch L'Estate di San Martino on stage HERE 

L'Estate di San Martino: Talsete di Marsantino (2012). Other opinions:

Jim Russell: I would describe the composition as music that is "soaring" as if the soundtrack to footage shot from aircraft above rugged coastlines and the like. Relaxing and sometimes not gripping enough for my personal tastes, yet, there are certainly times when I would find it appealing. A well made, ambitious disc for fans of the refined progressive rock... (read the complete review HERE)

 

More info:

http://www.estatedisanmartino.it/

CRIME AND PUNISHMENT

Il Bacio della Medusa come from Perugia and were formed in 2002 by Simone Cecchini (vocals, 6 & 12 acoustic guitar, mandolin, charango), Federico Caprai (bass) and Diego Petrini (drums, organ, keyboards, piano, vibraphone, percussion). Later the line up was completed by Simone Brozzetti (guitar) and Eva Morelli (flute) and in 2004 was released an eponymous debut album. “Discesa agl’inferi d’un giovane amante”, Il Bacio della Medusa's second album was recorded between 2005 and 2006 but it wasn’t released until 2008. On this album, the line-up features a new member, Daniele Rinchi (viola, violin) who joined the band in 2005 giving his contribution to the evolution of the band’s sound and song-writing, now more balanced, rich and “classically” oriented. Then, the deal with the independent label Black Widow Records gave the band the chance to work in tranquillity and the result is an excellent mix of classical influences and rock that perfectly fits the dark, poetical lyrics. Beautiful also the art cover painted, as in the eponymous debut, by one of the members of the band, Federico Caprai, who tries to describe in images and colours the mood of this work... 

“Discesa agl’inferi d’un giovane amante” (Descent to Hell of a young lover) is a concept album and the music flows away in a long suite for almost an hour without breaks with sudden changes in rhythm and atmosphere... It was inspired by the story of Paolo and Francesca, two clandestine lovers that were caught red handed and stabbed to death by Francesca’s husband (and Paolo’s brother) Gianciotto. The two characters were portrayed by the poet Dante Alighieri in his “Divina Commedia” but Dante’s poetry is only the starting point from where the band develops a very original musical and poetical journey...

The opener “Preludio: il trapasso” (Prelude: passing away) describes in music and words the moment when Paolo’s soul leaves his mortal body and begins the journey towards hell... “Look at my body / It lies bloodless on the ground... Heavy boats sail towards hell / The air is burning upon me / In the silence I’m looking for you...”. Delicate and expressive piano, flute and violin passages are the ideal background for Simone Cecchini’s passionate vocals evoking a love stronger than death and that sound even more dramatic in the following “Confessione d’un amante” (Confession of a lover). “In the crowd we’re looking for each other / But the dark is between us... Francesca I love you for this eternity / At length the light will come even into this dark caves / Let the trumpets blare / The beast is snarling upon us...”.

The instrumental “La bestia ed il delirio” (The beast and the delirium) marks a change of mood, the rhythm rises and there is room for fiery organ solos, heavy guitar riffs and “infernal dances” led by violin and flute... Then a marching beat introduces “Recitativo: è nel buio che risplendono le stelle” (Recitative: it’s in the dark that stars shine) where the voice of Simone Cecchini describes an infernal landscape with bent trees dripping blood... “The scream of the man now lies defeated on the ground / All I can do is gather my shadow / Like an old worn, smelly coat fallen down behind me... Oblivion is the cancer of knowledge... It’s in the dark that lies the magic of every light / It’s in the dark that stars shine...”.

In “Ricordi del supplizio” (Memories of the torment) a flute “à la Jethro Tull” and a mellow rock sound underline the expression of rage against the murderer... “I remember the violence of my death / His breath upon my neck...”. Then “Nostalgia, pentimento e rabbia” (Nostalgia, repentance and rage) leads to the instrumental “Sudorazione a freddo sotto il chiaro di luna”, where “the blood runs cold under the moonlight...”.

In Melancolia (Melancholy) a soaring feeling of nostalgia comes on the wings of beautiful notes of flute veined by exotic echoes... “Once I caught a prohibited apple / A bite couldn’t assuage my hunger / I drank from a springing wine source / A sip couldn’t assuage my thirst... Why on earth when I thought to love / A day like another the blade of a dagger / Led me back into the ground...”.

The last tracks are almost completely instrumental and, in a crescendo of emotions, lead to an amazing, dramatic finale for this journey towards hell of a young lover, carried away by the hot wind that benumbs his limbs... “E fu allora che dalle fiamme mi sorprese una calda brezza celeste”, “Nosce te ipsum: la bestia ringhia in noi”, “Corale per messa da requiem” and “Epilogo: conclusione della discesa agl’inferi d’un giovane amante” are the perfect conclusion for a flawless album.

From the book Rock Progressivo Italiano: An introduction to Italian Progressive Rock

Il Bacio della Medusa: Discesa agl’inferi d’un giovane amante (2008). Other opinions:

Jim Russell: If you love hard '70s rock and/or classic period Italian progressive this album is an absolute sure thing. Fantastic. My only worry is that I can't imagine how they're going to top themselves next time. This is music without cynicism-birthed purely with sincere motivations of pleasing the music lover. When I recognize that certain authenticity in a band it always makes it special to me. And now I undertake the mission of spreading the word about this deserving band. I'll be picking up more copies of this CD as gifts for rock loving friends... (read the complete review HERE)

Paul Fowler: I'm certainly glad to have discovered this excellent Italian band and the album is currently receiving well deserved heavy playing on my cd player and almost certain to make my top ten of 2008. One to lay back, turn out the lights and get lost in... (read the complete review HERE)

Read the interview with the band at Progarchives.com. Click HERE  

More info:

http://www.ilbaciodellamedusa.com/

http://www.myspace.com/ilbaciodellamedusa

http://www.reverbnation.com/ilbaciodellamedusa

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Il-Bacio-della-Medusa/133459493379262

PERSISTENT MEMORIES

Ornithos began life in Perugia in 1999 on the initiative of Diego Petrini and Federico Caprai. Both founder members later contribute to form another excellent band, Il Bacio della Medusa, and for some time Ornithos became just a kind of side project. So, it wasn't until 2007 that they started to work hard on a debut album that was finally released in 2012 on the independent label AMS/BTF with a line up featuring along with Diego Petrini (drums, percussion, Mellotron, organ, piano, vocals) and Federico Caprai (bass, vocals) another member of Il Bacio della Medusa, Eva Morelli (flute, sax), Antonello De Cesare (guitars, vocals), Simone Morelli (guitars) and Maria Giulia Carnevalini (vocals). The result of their efforts is a complex concept album, “La trasfigurazione” (The transfiguration), that tries to describe in music and words the cathartic path that a man has to walk to reach the highest level of his consciousness, purifying himself to live in harmony with the universe. The overall sound of the band is clearly influenced by bands such as Jethro Tull, Emerson Lake & Palmer, King Crimson and by the Italian prog masters of the seventies but there are many original ideas as well.

The concept is divided in three chapters. The first one, “Il trittico del tempo che fu” (The triptych of the past), takes you back in time for an inner trip as through a psychoanalytical session. The opener “L'orologio” (The clock) begins softly and you can hear the strikes of a clock... “Unrelenting, time passes by and everything changes... We change too...”. There are many changes in rhythm and mood, lively flute passages alternates with frenzied guitar solos drawing you in the vortex of time. The following track “La persistenza della memoria” (The persistence of memory), drives you towards obscure, invisibles cities and in such surroundings the mind loses its perspective as if it was lost in a limbo, “time and space become trivial and unreal, and echoes of a forgotten prehistoric past beat insistently upon the enthralled consciousness...” (well, this is quote from a short story by H.P. Lovecraft I was reading when listening for the first time to the album, The Tomb, from 1917). Past memories hanging on the heart of Time shine through dreamy atmospheres leading to “Somatizzando l'altare di fuoco” (Somatizing the altar of fire) that marks the beginning of a new awareness. Here Ennio Morricone comes to mind thanks to a sax solo evoking a “spaghetti western” scenario. The instrumental “Ipostasi” concludes the first chapter. It features tango and flamenco flavours and tries to describe the perpetual fight between sensuality and spirituality.

The second chapter, “Presa di coscienza del presente” (Awareness of the present) begins with the lively marching beat of the beautiful instrumental “Al torneo” (At the tournament). Fiery keyboards rides alternates with aggressive guitar solos evoking the eternal fight against false morals and media that try to manipulate your brain. The following “L'arrivo dell'orco – Fuga” (The arrival of the ogre – Fugue) is jazzier, darker. It's another excellent instrumental that tries to describe the fight of a man against discord and fear (allegorically impersonated by the character of the ogre). It leads to the dreamy “Nuvole e luce” (Clouds and light) where the clear voice of Maria Giulia Carnevalini evokes magic perfumes and bright colours. Time is sliding away, confused by sources of light. But hatred is always biding its time and the short “Ritorno al... (Reprise)”, a reprise of “Al torneo”, sounds like a warning suggesting that you can never relax and give up your fight. “Salamandra: regina di Psiche e Saggezza” (Salamander: queen of Psyche and Wisdom) concludes the second chapter with the lead vocals provided by Diego Petrini and Maria Giulia Carnevalini underlying the insecurity and uncertainty created by an inner conflict. Without pain and memory you can't understand the complexity of the world and you risk to become just like a giant of metal with the wings of a mosquito, a dummy with an arid, insensitive heart.

The last chapter “Quiete e redenzione del domani” (Quiet and redemption of the future) begins with “Nel crepuscolo” (At dusk). A drum roll and some hard guitar riffs soon give way to a calmer, dreamy passage and to some sax notes that seem glancing towards the sky. The sundown inspires reflections about a dying day while you are searching for your way that time hides. On the following track, “La notte” (The night), the rhythm rises again and shadows start dancing as witches in a black Sabbath. The wind shakes you and you have to fight your demons without regrets. The complex instrumental “L'alba del nuovo giorno” (Dawn of the new day) describes a desperate running along the path of knowledge and the rediscovery of life while the last track, “This is what we've got: the Flute Song” is sung in English and marks the palingenesis of your soul describing a kind of spiritual rebirth that makes you live in harmony with your ancestors... “In the theatre of life everything can become a tragedy... History rests chained in the past, and then reborn... And this is what we've got!”.

To be honest the lyrics are not the strength of this album and I find the concept not completely convincing. In my opinion the plot is a bit confused and your imagination has to fill all the gaps. Well, maybe the art cover by Federico Caprai describes the atmosphere of this album better than my words, anyway the music is really good and I think that this album really deserves a try! 

 

You can listen to the complete album HERE 

Ornithos: La trasfigurazione (2012). Other opinions:

Jim Russell: This is music for lovers of the craft, not product for quick consumption. An adventure with emotional highs and lows. And that is where Ornithos ties back to Medusa...both take you on adventures... (read the complete review HERE).

Raffaella Benvenuto-Berry: Eclecticism is the name of the game on La Trasfigurazione, an album that honours the golden age of Italian prog while at the same time searching for new avenues of expression... As is the case with most Italian progressive rock, La Trasfigurazione can be somewhat of an acquired taste, and definitely not for those who favour a minimalistic approach. Musically speaking, even if the album might command the controversial “retro” tag, there is also a sense of modernity in the band’s omnivorous approach which pushes Ornithos’ sound into the 21^st century. True, the album occasionally comes across as a tad overambitious when it wants to cram too many ideas into a limited running time of 56 minutes. However, this is a band that possesses talent in spades, and La Trasfigurazione will make a strong impression on lovers of everything RPI – as well as providing a fine complement to Il Bacio della Medusa’s newly released third album, Deus Lo Vult... (read the complete review HERE).

More info:

http://www.ornithos.it/

http://www.myspace.com/ornithos

http://www.facebook.com/ornithosfreeformusic

DANGEROUS KISSES

Il Bacio della Medusa come from Perugia and were formed in 2002 by Simone Cecchini (vocals, 6 & 12 acoustic guitar, mandolin, charango), Federico Caprai (bass) and Diego Petrini (drums, organ, keyboards, piano, vibraphone, percussion). In December 2003 Simone Brozzetti (guitar) and Eva Morelli (flute) joined the band and in 2004 Il Bacio della Medusa released the eponymous debut album. The beautiful art cover painted by Federico Caprai describes the content and the mood of this work where dark, poetical lyrics and an interesting mix of progressive, hard rock and classical music reminds me every now and again of bands such as Biglietto per l’Inferno, Banco del Mutuo Soccorso and Jethro Tull...

Il Bacio della Medusa

The opener “Requiem per i condannati a morte” (Requiem for those condemned to death) begins with the disquieting sound of some greedy crows waiting for an execution... Soaring on heavy guitar riffs, filtered vocals describe the dismay of some people sentenced to death by hanging, people without dreams and with the fear into their blood, desperate eyes gazing from dark prisons, “damned souls sold out to justice...”. Then the tension melts in an acoustic ballad, “Sogno post mortem: fine d’un inverno” (A dream post mortem: end of a winter) where a deep sense of pity prevails: “At least let the ground receive our humble bones...”.

Next comes “Orientoccidente” (East-west), almost an electric dream on the footsteps of Marco Polo with an “Eastern air in a Western ground” feeling, featuring interesting bass lines and guitar riffs... “Oh sea, please tell me the deeds of heroes...”.

The long epic “Scorticamento di Marsia” is probably the “plat de résistance” of this work. It was inspired by the ancient myth of the satyr Marsyas, a great flutist who challenged Apollo in a music contest and was punished by the god with the death by flaying... “Let the wind blow in my flute that now lies on the ground...”. This track features many changes in rhythm and mood, an excellent work of flute and sax (provided by the guest musician Angelo Petri) and inspired, theatrical vocal parts...

Good also the next track, “Il vino (breve delirio del vino)” (Wine – short delirium of wine), where you can listen to an evocative accordion sound and to lyrics that remind me of some Baudelaire’s “maudits” poems about the consolatory powers of wine for desperate people... “Red, because the hand bloods in autumn / And warms the nights of ice / And the soulless eyes that tarnish the mirror...”.   

The “baroque” ballad “Cantico del poeta errante” (Song of the wandering poet) is another excellent track in three parts with the flute in the forefront and inspired vocals, while the long finale “De luxuria, et de ludo, et de taberna” is a tribute to the Italian poet Cecco Angiolieri (1260-1312) and is built upon one of his poems...

Although not flawless, I think that this debut work could be an excellent addition to the collection of every Italianprog lover. By the way, the album was re-released in 2008 by Black Widow Records and it is now available also on vinyl.

Il Bacio della Medusa: Il Bacio della Medusa (2004). Other opinions

Jim Russell: Recommended enthusiastically to all fans of hard rock and/or Italian progressive. If only all music were so authentic-this is a very, very fine red wine from the countryside of Perugia to your heart... (read the complete review HERE)

Erik Neuteboom: This is not very easy prog but if you are up to an exciting musical adventure, Il Bacio Della Medusa is yours! (read the complete review HERE)

Read the interview with the band at Progarchives.com. Click HERE  

More info:

http://www.ilbaciodellamedusa.com/

http://www.myspace.com/ilbaciodellamedusa

http://www.reverbnation.com/ilbaciodellamedusa

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Il-Bacio-della-Medusa/133459493379262

UMBRIA

An now we go east, to UMBRIA and to its capital PERUGIA. Perugia is a beautiful city full of art and history but nowadays it’s best known for a mysterious crime that continues to make the highlights of the newspapers, the Murder of Meredith Kercher. Perhaps it is not by chance that an excellent prog band such as Il Bacio della Medusa (MySpace) comes from here. In 2007 they released a wonderful concept album inspired by the dark story of Paolo Malatesta and Francesca da Rimini, Discesa agl’inferi d’un giovane amante.

Recently three members of Il Bacio della Medusa started a side project called Ornithos (MySpace) and in 2012 released an excellent debut album, La trasfigurazione. Another member of Il Bacio della Medusa, Simone Cecchini, recently teamed up with keyboardist Alfio Costa (Tilion, Prowlers, Daal) for another side project called Fufluns - Complesso Embrionale Fossile (MySpace).

Other contemporary bands and artists from Perugia are Vitalba (MySpace), formed in 1991, which came back to life in 2009 after a long hiatus, the classically inspired This Harmony (MySpace), the metal influenced Lunocode (Reverbnation), the young solo project Fiordaligi (MySpace) and the psychedelic Red Onions (MySpace). In the seventies the city gave also us L’Estate di San Martino (Official Website), another band that recently reunited. By the way, Perugia is the home city of Augusto Croce, founder of the site Italianprog.com, a precious resource for Italian prog lovers.

A town north east of Perugia, Gubbio, is home to the emerging TheGeneration (MySpace), Le Chiavi del Faro (Facebook) and to The Titans (MySpace) that recently released their debut album on Musea Records while the prog guitarist Giampaolo Cavalieri (MySpace) comes from the nearby town of Gualdo Tadino. South east of Perugia there’s Assisi, the birthplace of Francis of Assisi, patron saint of animals. From here comes an emerging prog band called Pneuma (MySpace). 

Heading south we pass through the town of Foligno with bands such as Melpein (MySpace), In Assenza (MySpace), Niagara (MySpace) and the post rock L’Uomo di Vetro (MySpace). Then we visit Spoleto where a famous summer music and opera festival called  the Festival dei Due Mondi is held every year. Here we can listen to Vieux Carrè (MySpace), a band that was formed in 2003 as Chiaroscuro. In 2005 they changed name and released their first self-produced full length album Gli spiriti, i corpi e le menti. They have been influenced by historic progressive bands such as Genesis, BMS and PFM but their music has its own touch of originality and it’s really worth checking out.

Spoleto is also home to Alias Mundi (MySpace) and Emisferi Paralleli (MySpace), bands that were born from the ashes of Semi Infermità Mentale (MySpace). Our next stop is TERNI, the city of Saint Valentine, where the prog artist Roberto Vallerignani and his project called UD (MySpace) comes from. Other local bands that deserve a mention are Il Sogno di Copernico (MySpace) and Tom Shepperd's Production (Facebook). We conclude our visit to Umbria in Orvieto where we can listen to a band called Gerico (MySpace) and to the Old Rock City Orchestra (MySpace).