LUXADE

...how do we feel when we loose our beloved friends, lovers, relatives?

This is the main question, the central concept upon which all the album is based. A strong argument, the most anguishing situation for any human being in his life. And it's very interesting that La Maschera di Cera have elaborated their musical ideas aroundthe figure of the ancient greek myth of Orpheus. Orpheus start a journey from the earth's light (Lux in latin language) to the darkness of the afterlife's underworld (Hades - Ade), the reign of the deads. His beloved wife Eurydice sadly died and he never managed to accept it. Then he decided to start the long and dangerous journey throughout the world of Hades. But when he arrived and founded her, he realized he could not bring back on earth because she was only the image of herself, her body wasn't anymore. What a sad story, what a common situation for all of us! This is what the world is made of: pain.

By the way, the conceptual idea of the album rapresents the opposition of two elements: Life/Death, Dark/Light, Faith/Anguish ... there we can find a sort of reference from that fabulous Le Orme's record of the 1973: Felona e Sorona, a concept album about two opposite planets. And the music itself of Lux Ade search for a modern way to interpret (or to re-interpret) the italian prog traditions. So we can find also references to some movements from Rustichelli & Bordini's Opera Prima (1973). A great role and position for the varied keyboards instruments. Agostino Macor delights us with his hammondorgan, crumar organ, mellotron, synthesizers, classic pianos, electric harpsichord, clavinet, rmi, spinet, celesta and theremin corvaglizer (I wonder what is it...!).

The flute, the flute is not the same of that of the previous album "Il Grande Labirinto" (2003). It has now more prominence and is sometimes similar to some mellow interludes tipical of the later records of Jethro Tull and Ian Anderson. So is in particular the last song of Lux Ade titled "Schema (V.S.D.)". I don't know what the acronym is on about. An instrumental delicate dream, after a so much powerful record!

What about Fabio Zuffanti his perfomance on bass guitar? Excellent, as always. Specral sometimes. Impressive "conubium" with all that keyboards' richness! His lyrics on "Doppia Immagine", "Orpheus" and "Enciclica 1168" are all appreciable and worthy of special mention. What a pity for all the non italian language people!

Such a wonderful and great record had to have also a great artistic producer behind...what a surprise: Franz di Cioccio (from Premiata Forneria Marconi)!

"Porta del Cielo" (Sky's Door) is the instrumental short opener (1,10 mns). A melodic gentle-piano based track that, suddenly, introduces the listener to the real tune "Doppia Immagine" (7,49 mns). This one is a wonderful gem, with an incredibly good saxophone interlude. Perhaps the most pregnant part of the track, indeed!

"Un Senso all'Impossibile" (A Meaning for the Impossible) starts with a wonderful and relaxing acoustic 12 strings guitar, provided by Alessandro Corvaglia, the one who provided also the lyrics. All the 10,18 mns of the song are worth of inclusion in most excellent repertoire of modern symphonic prog! What a dreamy synthesizer, what a wonderful atmosphere! The rithm is slow in the first part, then flute, keyboards, bass and drums start to work as their players are able to do.

"Orpheus" (4,45 mns) is a varied and impressive composition. All the richness of the album is here well rapresented! The following track "Nuova Luce" (New Light) is the most favourite of mine of the seven of Lux Ade. Outstanding 10,18 mns of pure prog pleasure! The melodic and pompous symphonic part makes me sing at each time! And that's the thing really impressive!!

With the sixth song starts the Program 2, id est the second part of the whole opus! The long suite (24,27 mns) is titled "Enciclica 1168". Enciclica is what the roman Pope sometimes write on about christian faith and other specific religious arguments. The suite is composed of 9 so called "scenes" titled, respectevely: I scene (Preludio); II scene (Caduta/Visione - Fall/Vision); III (Delitto - Crime); IV (Coscienza - Consciousness); V (Canto Pagano/Metamorfosi - Pagan Chant/Metamorphosis); VI (Dopo la Pioggia - After the Rain); VII (Sterminio - Extermination); VIII (Lumen in Coelo - latin language for Light in the Sky); IX (Postludio/ Così in Alto E' Come in Basso - The So High Is the Same of the Low).

Enciclica has some darker passages. Even the lyrics are about human fear of God. Impressive track!

What could I say more? Let's go out and buy immidiately this wonderful gem!

P.S. ...and for another time Erik was right...

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