WHERE THE JOURNEY BEGINS

Great Promise, Several Problems

JANA DRAKA

Originally formed in 2014, only two original band members remain- vocalist/bassist Valerio Magli, and guitarist Danilo Pantusa.

This quintet is currently based in Rome, and if I correctly follow the development of the band, it was quite early in its current incarnation when "Where the Journey Begins" was recorded.

That may partly explain some of the strengths and weaknesses of this album.

Musicality

JANA DRAKA apparently began as an alternative rock outfit, and with the new members recently added, took a turn toward progressive rock.

To me, although on this site classified "crossover progressive rock", I'd call the album "Rock Progressivo Italiano (RPI), with its classical feel, expressive vocals, twists and turns, symphonic and cinematic textures, dark and perhaps occult themes, and use of keyboards throughout.

Members are Skilled Musicians

From vocals to keyboards to drums to guitars and bass, from composition to execution, I thought JANA DRAKA shows great promise, sophistication, a knack for sweeping melodic passages and moody, sometimes cinematic vocal meditations.

Simply put, they play well together, especially given the relative newness of this particular unit.

Several Problems

I'm betting this is a self-produced album, and although the overall sound is lush and sometimes touching, sometimes grand, especially the guitar seemed mixed too far back, Hammond organ too far in front, and vocals ranged from difficult to hear to robust and well-mixed.

Secondly, if there's a concept lurking herein, it's murky and difficult for me to decipher, although the format and approach practically beg to be conceptual- from the opening "Overture" to the closing "Notturno".

Perhaps things got lost in translation, and it may have been better advised to have vocals mainly in Italian. The english lyrics were at times idiosyncratic- they 'feel' important to the whole venture, yet are oddly stated- at least to this listener.

Finally, although there are seeded throughout the album gorgeous flights of majesty and splendor, and plenty of passionate vocals, it was weighted pretty heavily with introspective, tormented lyrics set over brooding piano chords.

I wanted more bombast and fireworks!

So in sum

Plenty of promise and considerable chops for this quintet. Still some work to do in refining the sound and cleaning up the conceptual basis of the work.

I rate this as three stars: good, but not essential.

Jana Draka began life in Cosenza in 2014 on the initiative of Valerio Magli, inspired by bands such as Dream Theater, Tool, Gentle Giant, PFM, Genesis, Jethro Tull, Banco del Mutuo Soccorso, Pink Floyd, Steven Wilson, Haken, King Crimson or Goblin. The first line up featured along with Valerio Magli (guitar) also Luigi Conte (drums), Lorenzo Cecchetti (bass) and Danilo Pantusa (guitar) later joined by Francesco Straface (piano, keyboards). They soon started to play live on the local scene and in 2016 recorded a demo EP entitled "Introspection". Unfortunately, this first line up didn't last long and in 2018 the only two remaining members, Vincenzo Magli and Danilo Pantusa, left their home city and decided to relocate in Rome recruiting new musicians to give form to their musical ideas. In 2019 the new line up featuring Valerio Magli (lead vocals, bass), Danilo Pantusa (guitar, backing vocals), Giorgio Belluscio (keyboards, backing vocals), Federico Aramini (piano, organ, keyboards) and Valentina D'Angelo (drums, percussion) digitally self-released an interesting full length debut album entitled "Where The Journey Begins" where all the musicians involved give their contribute with competence and passion.

The short opener, "Overture", is a beautiful, classical inspired instrumental track for piano solo that leads to the introspective "Coming Home" that depicts a strange dream where the protagonist, following the call of his consciousness, begins an endless journey towards another dimension, beyond time and space, where the concept of reality crumbles leaving room to fading memories and distorted visions...

Next comes the disquieting "Salem", a piece that was inspired by the stories of H.P. Lovecraft and by a series of hearings and prosecutions of people accused of witchcraft in colonial Massachusetts between February 1692 and May 1693. It's divided into two parts. In the first one we can hear the voice of a haughty, exalted bishop exorcising a witch and condemning her to the stake. Then it's the turn of the witch (interpreted by the guest vocalist Sara Mun) who sings of ancient, unknown gods and of damned men that had the misfortune to read the "Necronomicon"...

"The Outsider" is another dark track and was inspired by a H.P. Lovecraft story of the same name about a man who has been living alone in a castle for as long as he can remember and decides to break free in search of human contact and light. The music blends Gothic atmospheres and Pink Floyd echoes while the lyrics evoke cold and loneliness describing the walls of the castle and its empty rooms, a prison of solitude and sorrow...

The melancholic "A Gem's Last Moment", divided into two parts, is a heartfelt elegy for a brother who passed away too soon and a sad reflection about the force of destiny. Too often life can depend on the face of a coin tossed in the air... It leads to "Carcosa", a piece inspired by Robert W. Chambers' literary work, a piece that begins by narrative vocals reciting the "Cassilda's Song" from "The King in Yellow, Act 1, Scene 2". Then the rhythm rises leading you into the storm, towards the mysterious city where satyrs dance and the Yellow King rules under a black tower...

The long, complex "Limbo" is divided into three parts and starts by a delicate piano solo passage and soaring vocals that draw melancholic atmospheres filled with fading memories and painful regrets. Then, as the rhythm rises memories and regrets turn into a raging sense of sin and guilt for a broken relationship and its heavy burden of betrayed dreams...

The ethereal "Daydream" is an acoustic piece that deals with the spell of a charming song that leaves you speechless. Captured by its notes your mind takes off towards unknown, unearthly places where you can experience heavenly sensations and a deep feeling of inner peace...

The mysterious "Awaken" is another piece with a dark, epic atmosphere that seems coming out from the pages of H.P. Lovecraft. It evokes the advent of a new era that will break the seal of the illusionary sleep enveloping the humankind and let old terrible gods rise again and storm into our world through the crimson gates of a nightmare... Then the more reassuring notes of the piano solo "Notturno" end the album.

On the whole, a very interesting album although, in my opinion, it's a real pity that the band did not exploit the resources of their native language for the lyrics. When they were still looking for a drummer they posted a video in memory of Francesco Di Giacomo with a BMS cover that really impressed me... Maybe next time!