Catafalchi del Cyber

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A new Italian band with a record which I am pretty sure will create some waves among music lovers in the next months and years. The album has been released by a label which also supports the likes of Mangala Vallis, Moongarden and other new RPI bands.  Catafalchi del Cyber though is not in the mellotron drenched RPI mould. Their music can be found somewhere inbetween jazz, RPI, eclectic and symphonic prog. It is big, it is loud, it is brash, it is eccentric, is it dadaism... it is Catafalchi del Cyber.
I got in touch with them for their story and a plate of space-spaghetti.
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When, where and by whom was your band born ? Did any of you, past and 
present members, play in any other bands before joining up in your band ? Why 
did you choose that name ?

“Catafalchi del Cyber” leave one perplexed...
The band forms in 
2003 during a King Crimson concert at Verona. Ravenoldi & Bertolini propose 
to give birth to a musical project of clear progressive rock ascendancies to 
their friends Roversi & Gallio (which already played together with 
“OPS”). The name was born from a rambling of the two guys during a car trip, 
trying to kill time. The 
First psychedelic influences lead the way to an instrumental repertoire. Their 
live debut takes place at Melara on 2004, with the recording of the bootleg 
“Attento con quella mietitrebbia Edoardo”. The band’s rather scarce live 
performances are compensated by a remarkable improvement in composition skills, 
notably the vocals by Ravenoldi.
Though one cannot deny that there are 
influences by the big names of prog rock, in Bertolini/Ravenoldi ' compositions 
there is a sense of looking for original personality, thanks also to the skilled 
work as producer of Cristiano Roversi (known for his band “Moongarden”, and for 
many collaborations such as “John Wetton Band”, “Mangala Vallis”, “The Watch”, 
“Massimo Zamboni” and the newborn trio with Bernardo Lanzetti and Gigi Cavalli 
Cocchi).
Working at the album the band's line-up changed as well: along with 
the founders Ravenoldi (vocals, keyboards, electric and acoustic guitar) and 
Bertolini (bass, theremin and acoustic guitar), The Emperor, l’Imperatore (keys 
and bass pedals) and the obscure, controversial Ersiker Anaman (drums and 
percussions). In spite of his juridical troubles,  Anaman still had the cance to 
take part in external projects as "Blueslanz" by Bernardo Lanzetti and with 
Cristiano Roversi in the Finnish tribute to prog rock (with a cover version of a 
WigWam track). 

Which bands were you 
influenced by ?

Tom Araya himself because we never were into other Slayer 
members. Doug Ferguson of early Camel, for a time he influenced our hairdo. 
Undoubtedly Mike Rutherford for his musical fair play. We like “Paholah” and 
German pappardelle. Magma: anyone can tell us why!? (The main thing is for them 
to keep clear).  Demetrio's night clamors. We all agree in calling ourselves 
great fans of James Larcombe. A warm greeting to William D. Drake, Tim Smith 
(with a wish included) and Cardiacs.

Your debut album Benediktus Und Vobis Quoque, Catafalcus Est Tu has 
just been released. Please tell 
us more about this album.

Firstly, we wonder why you want to know? 

The title, as the musical content of the album, are the 
product of a few dadaist minds. This might involve the self-destruction of this 
interview after 10 seconds from the end of the reading. To avoid excessive 
complications, as it can be easily imagined, the title was written in a strict 
secret code. 

Our willingness towards the audience has however been 
restricted to placing a wheel on the cover, so that the share of public that 
finds itself bored by our music can find a little solace watching the moving 
images. 

The bottom truth is that we're bloody terrified by George 
Lucas.

Very few have heard your music so for those of us unknown with your 
music; how would you describe you music and which bands would you compare 
yourself with ?

We could define our music as emotionally disturbed and 
suffocated by a heavy Italian musical heritage, arguably a Catholic one. Surely 
ours is a music that opposes the cemeterial poetic of the late Ugo Foscolo. 
Undoubtedly there's an artistic closeness to bands as Smashing Pumpkins and The 
Human League though right now we feel artistically prone to two huge 
underground acts of contemporary silly Italian mainstream: we 
mean Aquaplaning and Massimo Rispetto!

The Emperor actually crowned us as “anti prog-prog rock 
band”, promising us he'd move the Canterbury feud to the swamps of the river 
Mincio (near the city of Mantova, Italy, from where the band is from. 
Translator's note)!

What is your plans for this year and beyond ?

Right now we have issues with the law: as you may 
know, Ersiker will not be able to take part to any show for the 
next 28 months and the second album might be delayed for similar reasons. 
We already cancelled a gig to show that we are serious about this. 

Regarding the future: I don't think  we'll be able to 
defend for long Phil Collins's positions.

To wrap up this interview, is there anything you want to add to this 
interview ?

Catafalchi del Cyber feel they should remember you that 
from today on all the respectable families may reunite in choral listenings of 
our album.  

To conclude, the motto  of Catafalchi (as 
lifestyle, as well as a very heavy moral self-inflicted judgement): “We live 
in doubt. We act in shade.”

Thank you to the band for this interview. 

The evaluation teams will get some almighty huge headaches trying to label this band so no PA profile at the moment
But homepage is here and you can get the album from here

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toroddfuglesteg Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum Senior Member Retired Joined: March 04 2008 Location: Retirement Home Status: Offline Points: 3658	Topic: Catafalchi del Cyber Posted: May 03 2011 at 14:21
	A new Italian band with a record which I am pretty sure will create some waves among music lovers in the next months and years. The album has been released by a label which also supports the likes of Mangala Vallis, Moongarden and other new RPI bands. Catafalchi del Cyber though is not in the mellotron drenched RPI mould. Their music can be found somewhere inbetween jazz, RPI, eclectic and symphonic prog. It is big, it is loud, it is brash, it is eccentric, is it dadaism... it is Catafalchi del Cyber. I got in touch with them for their story and a plate of space-spaghetti. ################################################################## When, where and by whom was your band born ? Did any of you, past and present members, play in any other bands before joining up in your band ? Why did you choose that name ? “Catafalchi del Cyber” leave one perplexed... The band forms in 2003 during a King Crimson concert at Verona. Ravenoldi & Bertolini propose to give birth to a musical project of clear progressive rock ascendancies to their friends Roversi & Gallio (which already played together with “OPS”). The name was born from a rambling of the two guys during a car trip, trying to kill time. The First psychedelic influences lead the way to an instrumental repertoire. Their live debut takes place at Melara on 2004, with the recording of the bootleg “Attento con quella mietitrebbia Edoardo”. The band’s rather scarce live performances are compensated by a remarkable improvement in composition skills, notably the vocals by Ravenoldi. Though one cannot deny that there are influences by the big names of prog rock, in Bertolini/Ravenoldi ' compositions there is a sense of looking for original personality, thanks also to the skilled work as producer of Cristiano Roversi (known for his band “Moongarden”, and for many collaborations such as “John Wetton Band”, “Mangala Vallis”, “The Watch”, “Massimo Zamboni” and the newborn trio with Bernardo Lanzetti and Gigi Cavalli Cocchi). Working at the album the band's line-up changed as well: along with the founders Ravenoldi (vocals, keyboards, electric and acoustic guitar) and Bertolini (bass, theremin and acoustic guitar), The Emperor, l’Imperatore (keys and bass pedals) and the obscure, controversial Ersiker Anaman (drums and percussions). In spite of his juridical troubles, Anaman still had the cance to take part in external projects as "Blueslanz" by Bernardo Lanzetti and with Cristiano Roversi in the Finnish tribute to prog rock (with a cover version of a WigWam track). Which bands were you influenced by ? Tom Araya himself because we never were into other Slayer members. Doug Ferguson of early Camel, for a time he influenced our hairdo. Undoubtedly Mike Rutherford for his musical fair play. We like “Paholah” and German pappardelle. Magma: anyone can tell us why!? (The main thing is for them to keep clear). Demetrio's night clamors. We all agree in calling ourselves great fans of James Larcombe. A warm greeting to William D. Drake, Tim Smith (with a wish included) and Cardiacs. Your debut album Benediktus Und Vobis Quoque, Catafalcus Est Tu has just been released. Please tell us more about this album. Firstly, we wonder why you want to know? The title, as the musical content of the album, are the product of a few dadaist minds. This might involve the self-destruction of this interview after 10 seconds from the end of the reading. To avoid excessive complications, as it can be easily imagined, the title was written in a strict secret code. Our willingness towards the audience has however been restricted to placing a wheel on the cover, so that the share of public that finds itself bored by our music can find a little solace watching the moving images. The bottom truth is that we're bloody terrified by George Lucas. Very few have heard your music so for those of us unknown with your music; how would you describe you music and which bands would you compare yourself with ? We could define our music as emotionally disturbed and suffocated by a heavy Italian musical heritage, arguably a Catholic one. Surely ours is a music that opposes the cemeterial poetic of the late Ugo Foscolo. Undoubtedly there's an artistic closeness to bands as Smashing Pumpkins and The Human League though right now we feel artistically prone to two huge underground acts of contemporary silly Italian mainstream: we mean Aquaplaning and Massimo Rispetto! The Emperor actually crowned us as “anti prog-prog rock band”, promising us he'd move the Canterbury feud to the swamps of the river Mincio (near the city of Mantova, Italy, from where the band is from. Translator's note)! What is your plans for this year and beyond ? Right now we have issues with the law: as you may know, Ersiker will not be able to take part to any show for the next 28 months and the second album might be delayed for similar reasons. We already cancelled a gig to show that we are serious about this. Regarding the future: I don't think we'll be able to defend for long Phil Collins's positions. To wrap up this interview, is there anything you want to add to this interview ? Catafalchi del Cyber feel they should remember you that from today on all the respectable families may reunite in choral listenings of our album. To conclude, the motto of Catafalchi (as lifestyle, as well as a very heavy moral self-inflicted judgement): “We live in doubt. We act in shade.” Thank you to the band for this interview. The evaluation teams will get some almighty huge headaches trying to label this band so no PA profile at the moment But homepage is here and you can get the album from here