IL CHIARORE SORGE DUE VOLTE

A progressive cousin of Dead Can Dance, this highly original collective of electro-acoustic jesters is quite stunning in their well-thought out approach , combining contrasts within an obvious penchant for baroque and gothic ambiance. Listening intently to this music, one is drawn into a time-warp , as if attending a banquet at a country fair , surrounded by minstrels, jugglers, storytellers and musician-magicians invited from distant lands. The very gothic inspiration fuses vintage period musical instruments (luth, mandolin and strings) , metalloid simulated guitar slashes and loads of Emulator, Korg and Roland machinery. The themes expressed are a wide cross-section of folklore, from the legend of Dunwich, the Egyptian mythological tale of Isis and Osiris, the ancient fables of the Cree Indians to a suite showcasing hindu, viking, japanese and aztec texts . A universal journey in history and geography, the music is a savvy blend of ancient and modern , fueled by the rich voice of Katya Sanna and decorated with a lush tapestry of symphonics, without any soloing per se. Not necessarily an easy listen, but the mood outweighs the use of any overt proggy displays of virtuosity . 3.5 stars for content and style . Could be fun scaring a few Marilyn Manson fans, when they come over for a barbecue !