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   Nice review Chris.....I quite enjoy that one despite the production issues...

Studio Album, 1978

2.90 | 4 ratings

BUY

Al Maestrale

Janus  Rock Progressivo Italiano

Review by
seventhsojourn

Special Collaborator RPI and New Suggestions Teams

Janus was formed in 1976 by young members of the Italian right wing Il Movimento Sociale 
Italiano (MSI), the youth front of which organised cultural events called Campi Hobbit 
(Hobbit fields) from 1977-81. The campi were of course named after the well-known 
novel by J. R. R. Tolkien and the author's work in general provided a cultural touchstone for 
the politicised youth of the right. This was mainly due to Italian philosopher Elemine Zolla's 
introduction (which was interpreted as neo-fascist) to the first edition of the 'Lord of the 
Rings' novel in 1970, but also in part because of Tolkien's regard for Nordic culture. Progressive folk band La Compagnia dell'Anello (The Fellowship of the Ring) was another 
of the leading right wing formations (although Janus was undoubtedly foremost among 
them, even having a tribute album released in 1990s) and both groups took part in the 
inaugural campo at Montesarchio in June 1977. In fact there is also a strong folk 
element to 'Il Maestrale' thanks to its frequent flute and recorder forays, although overall it's 
a truly eclectic work and the wah wah on 'Tempo di Vittoria' (Time of Victory) that rounds out 
the album recalls the ramshackle vigour of Guru Guru. Anyway, by the time Janus played at 
the same event in the following year guitarist Stefano Recchioni was dead, having been 
shot and mortally wounded by police gunfire during a political riot that became known as 
the Massacre of Acca Larentia; singer-songwriter Fabrizio Marzi dedicated the 
song 'Giovinezza' to the memory of Recchioni. 
Another important figure to the right wing was Julius Evola who placed great importance on 
mythology. He saw it as the intersection of history and superhistory, and the likes of 
Arthurian legend and, as a consequence, the Celtic cross became important symbols for 
the MSI. You might wonder where this review is going but the album is a product of the 
Italian right wing and all the above strands come together in the album's art and its title-
track: 'How I love you, mistral wind... we are born of one womb... we were forever 
predestined to be heirs to heavy burdens and great battles... climb higher and hang in the 
sky because the world will see it and be truer.' The artwork mirrors these words with a 
Norse longboat climbing into the sky above the sea, its sail emblazoned with the Celtic 
cross that dominated the campi skylines. And similar themes recur throughout the album - 
a blistering guitar rips through the bedlam of the Arthurian-inspired 'Il Ritorno del Cavaliero 
Nero' (The Return of the Black Knight), while 'King of the Fairies' (based on Alberich, the 
dwarf chieftain who guards the treasure of the Nibelungen) is all folksy recorder and 
psychedelic organ. 
Getting specific on the few lyrics on the album, 'Il Fuoco e La Spada' (Fire and Sword) 
concerns the 'just' fight of the last of a race of warriors riding on celestial steeds: 'I am an 
exile on this earth, inhabited by small scheming men without honour... yet I see a new sun 
will rise to illuminate the few hearts that were pure, free and proud and true.' Sonically this 
track is reminiscent of Calvert-era Hawkwind, but their take on the crisis of Italian terrorism, 
the hectic 'Manifestazione Non Autorizzata' (Unauthorised Demonstration), is even punkier 
and carries a less ambiguous message: 'the joy of the struggle and the victory' against the 
safe side 'who live by dollars and roubles.' 
Of historical importance, 'Il Maestrale' is also *extremely* rough around the edges which 
probably makes it one for RPI aficionados only.