DISCESA AGL'INFERI D'UN GIOVANE AMANTE

"Discesa agl'inferi d'un giovane amante" is the second album of the Italian band Il Bacio Della Medusa. The line up features a new member, Daniele Rinchi (viola, violin) who joined the band in 2005 giving his contribute to the evolution of the band's sound and song-writing, now more balanced, rich and "classical" 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 and poetical lyrics. Beautiful also the art cover painted by one of the members of the band, Federico Caprai, that tries to describe with images and colours the mood of the album...

"Discesa agl'inferi d'un giovane amante" is a concept album and the music flows away in a long suite for almost an hour without breaks with sudden changes of 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 develop a very original musical and poetical journey...

The opener "Preludio: il trapasso" 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)... "Into 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 goes up 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" where the voice of Simone Cecchini describes an infernal landscape with bent trees dripping blood... "The scream of the man by now lies defeated on the ground / All I can do is gather my shadow / Like an old worn and stinking 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 the stars shine..."

In "Ricordi del supplizio" (Souvenirs 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) lead to the instrumental "Sudorazione a freddo sotto il chiaro di luna", where "the blood runs cold under the moonlight"...

In Melencolia (Melancholy) a soaring feeling of nostalgia comes on the wings of beautiful notes of flute veined of exotic echoes... "Once I caught a prohibited apple / A bit couldn't stop my hunger / I drank from a springing wine source / A sip couldn't stop 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 and 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.

Essential for every Italianprog lover!