10 déc. 2014

[news] Metal On Metal Records - bundles (2014)





Le label Metal On Metal Records propose des bundles très intéressants ! Alors puisque Noël approche, profitez-en !

http://metal-on-metal.com/shop/#!/Bundles/c/2707973/offset=0&sort=normal

[news] Waverly Lies North - A Soul in the Void (réediton 2014)

Les français de Waverly Lies North (heavy metal) viennent de rééditer leur premier album A Soul in the Void. il est disponible sur leur site. Voici les détails :


Waverly Lies North - A Soul in the Void (réediton 2014)

1. The Curse (lux in tenebris) 6:05
2 . A soul in the void 6:07
3. Cherish no hope 4:57
4. Labyrinth 5:51
5. Chimaera 5:46
6. Aria Nocturna 7:00
7. Gilded faith 5: 59
8. Follow the river 5:10
9. Final 1:45




[news] IronSerpent - Blood Architect (2014)

Les américains de IronSerpent (melodic death metal, deathcore) ont sorti leur premier album Blood Architect sous forme d'autoproduction. L'album est disponible sur le bandcamp du groupe.




IronSerpent - Blood Architect (2014)
01. Dirge Of Glory (06:09)
02. Forest Lord (03:33)
03. Harbinger (05:05)
04. Blood Architect (04:20)
05. Juggernaut (04:57)
06. Prisoner Inside The Night (06:29)
07. Dragonrider (06:03)
08. Torment's Cold Embrace (05:28)
09. Wizard (05:02) 



bandcamp
facebook

Written by IronSerpent
Recorded and Mixed by Brandon Eggleston at Cloud City, Portland OR
Mastered by Colin Davis at Imperial Mastering, Bay Area CA

Trapper Rogers: Vocals
Brian Chambers: Guitar
Steve-O Danger-Smith: Guitar
Skylar Harris: Bass / Vocals
Wade Murff: Drums / Vocals

8 déc. 2014

AC/DC – Play Ball (single 2014)



AC/DC – Play Ball – Rock Or Bust (single 2014)

  

Le groupe de hard rock australien AC/DC a sorti le 1er décembre 2014 son 16ème album studio via Sony Records - Columbia Records qui se nomme Rock Or Bust. Il s’agit du premier album sans le membre fondateur du groupe Malcom Young (rhythm guitar) qui a été remplacé par Stevie Young, son neveu. De cet album il y a deux vidéos et un cd single. Le premier clip se nommé Play Ball, il a été tourné à Londres le 3 octobre 2014 au Black Island Studio et a été mis en ligne le 11 novembre. Le deuxième clip Rock Or Bust de la même manière a été tourné à Londres le 04 octobre 2014 au Black Island Studio et a été mis en ligne le 23 novembre. Le batteur Phil Rudd ne prend part aux tournages des deux clips à cause de problèmes judiciaires, il est remplacé par Bob Richards, un batteur anglais.

Le cd single se nomme Play Ball et réunit les titres Play Ball et Rock Or Bust. Il est sorti le 21 novembre via Sony Music - Columbia Records. Les deux titres sont en pleine tradition AC/DC : mid tempo, soli ravageurs et voix bien rauque et directe. Dans le détail Play Ball est très directe et rehaussé par un superbe solo de Angus Young. Rock Or Bust est aussi directe mais son main riff paie un lourd tribut au main riff de Back In Black. Il reste cependant un titre aussi efficace et fédérateur. Le seul bémol est donné par la production qui nous semble un peu faible par rapport à la qualité et à la solidité des titres proposés.

Score 8.5/10


AC/DC – Play Ball (single 2014)
Play Ball
Rock Or Bust





[news] Rainbow - A Light In The Black Rainbow box set (2015)



Le label Polydor  et Universal Music sortira le 25 janvier 2015 un coffret  de 5 cd et 1 dvd nommé Rainbow - A Light In The Black Rainbow box set dont voici les détails :







CD1
  1. Black Sheep Of The Family 3:22
  2. Sixteenth Century Greensleeves 7:33
  3. Snake Charmer 4:33
  4. The Temple Of The King 4:45
  5. Tarot Woman (rough Mix) 6:06
  6. Stargazer (rough Mix) 9:09
  7. Run With The Wolf (rough Mix) 3:49
  8. Mistreated (live In Osaka, Japan / 1976) 11:10
  9. Purple Haze / White Christmas / Lazy / Man On The Silver Mountain / Blues / Starstruck (live In Osaka, Japan / 1976) 16:18
CD2
  1. Sensitive To Light (rough Mix) 3:04
  2. The Shed 4:46
  3. Rainbow Eyes (rough Mix) 7:06
  4. Jesu, Joy Of Man’s Desiring (bob Daisley Rehearsal Tape) 1:41
  5. Long Live Rock N Roll (L.A. Rehearsal / 1977) 6:57
  6. Do You Close Your Eyes (bob Daisley Rehearsal Tape) 6:19
  7. Still I’m Sad (with Organ Intro / Bob Daisley Rehearsal Tape) 10:07
  8. Gates Of Babylon 6:48
  9. Catch The Rainbow (live/1976 / With Applause) 22:02
  10. Long Live Rock ‘n’ Roll (live In Munich, Germany / 1977) 3:32
  11. L.A. Connection (live In Munich, Germany / 1977) 5:13
CD3
  1. Eyes Of The World (instrumental Outtake) 6:51
  2. Ain’t A Lot Of Love In The Heart Of Me 5:00
  3. Lost In Hollywood 4:52
  4. Danger Zone 4:30
  5. Since You Been Gone (album Version) 3:21
  6. Bad Girl 4:52
  7. Over The Rainbow / Eyes Of The World (king Biscuit Flower Hour Radio Broadcast / Live At Calderone, New York / 1979) 9:23
  8. Love’s No Friend (king Biscuit Flower Hour Radio Broadcast / Live At Calderone, New York / 1979) 8:10
  9. Ode To Joy (king Biscuit Flower Hour Radio Broadcast / Live At Calderone, New York / 1979) 5:42
  10. All Night Long (single Remix Version) 3:50
  11. Weiss Heim 5:19
  12. Stargazer (live At Donnington/1980) 8:33
CD4
  1. Midtown Tunnel Vision 4:33
  2. I Surrender (album Version) 4:03
  3. Magic 4:08
  4. Vielleicht Das Nachster Mal 3:20
  5. Jealous Lover 3:13
  6. Spotlight Kid (live At Hammersmith Odeon, London / 1981) 5:07
  7. Rule Britannia / Fire (live At Hammersmith Odeon, London / 1981) 2:50
  8. Death Alley Driver 4:45
  9. Bring On The Night (Dream Chaser) 4:06
  10. Stone Cold (album Version) 5:18
  11. Power (live In San Antonio, Tx/1982) 4:39
  12. Miss Mistreated (live In San Antonio, Tx/1982) 4:26
  13. Tearin’ Out My Heart (live In San Antonio, Tx/1982) 8:20
CD5
  1. Can’t Let You Go (album Version) 4:21
  2. Desperate Heart (album Version) 4:35
  3. Anybody There (outtake / Polar Mix) 2:51
  4. Drinking With The Devil (outtake / Different Guitar Solo) 3:43
  5. Make Your Move 5:26
  6. Snowman 4:32
  7. Street Of Dreams (album Version) 4:27
  8. Stranded (live At St. David’s Hall, Cardiff/1983 / With Applause) 5:51
  9. Power (live In Cardiff/1984) 4:30
  10. Fire Dance (live In Cardiff/1984) 4:26
  11. Fool For The Night (live At The Tokyo Budokan/1984) 3:59
  12. Difficult To Cure (live At The Tokyo Budokan) 11:17
  13. Smoke On The Water (live At The Tokyo Budokan/1984) 4:42
DVD
  1. All Night Long (live At Monsters Of Rock, Donington Park, Uk / 1980) 7:56
  2. Catch The Rainbow (live At Monsters Of Rock, Donington Park, Uk / 1980) 5:06
  3. Eyes Of The World (live At Monsters Of Rock, Donington Park, Uk / 1980) 1:23
  4. Lost In Hollywood (guitar Solo / Live At Monsters Of Rock, Donington Park, Uk / 1980) 3:32
  5. Will You Love Me Tomorrow? (live At Monsters Of Rock, Donington Park, Uk / 1980) 3:15
  6. Long Live Rock ‘n’ Roll (live At Monsters Of Rock, Donington Park, Uk / 1980 / Pt. 1) 2:29
  7. Kill The King (live At Monsters Of Rock, Donington Park, Uk / 1980) 3:29
  8. Long Live Rock ‘n’ Roll (live At Monsters Of Rock, Donington Park, Uk / 1980 / Pt. 2) 2:20


[news] HDR - Lycanthia and Atten Ash announce release of split 7" Vinyl (2015)



Lycanthia and Atten Ash announce release of split 7" Vinyl

Hypnotic Dirge Records


Doom bands Lycanthia and Atten Ash have collaborated to deliver a new limited split 7" this winter. Featuring “The Harbinger” for Lycanthia, and “City in the Sea” for Atten Ash, this split will serve as a prelude to each band's forthcoming full-length albums as well as present a very first vinyl release for everyone involved! There will only be 300 copies printed with 140 available for sale through Hypnotic Dirge Records. This vinyl comes with a sleeve insert featuring band information as well as three free stickers! We are now accepting pre-orders for this vinyl with the release date set for January 22, 2015.

We are now accepting pre-orders for this vinyl with the release date set for January 22, 2015.

PRE-ORDER LYCANTHIA / ATTEN ASH SPLIT VINYL




Side A : Lycanthia - The Harbinger



On Side A, there is Lycanthia, a six-piece gothic death-doom metal band from Sydney, Australia. Their music can be described as dark, aggressive and emotional soundscapes fused with classical and rock elements. Consisting of grim male and dual female vocals, violins, keyboards, guitars and drums, Lycanthia continue that "golden age" traditional-doom sound with influences such as My Dying Bride & Theatre of Tragedy while also adding a more aggressive, complex and sophisticated sound, incorporating the likes of Draconian, Primordial, Shape of Despair & Virgin Black while still maintaining their own unique sound. Having now been a couple of years since the release of their latest full-length "Oligarchy", Lycanthia has been preparing new material that will comprise their next album, and in the meantime have managed to record a new track entitled "The Harbinger" which was released digitally and on a video clip earlier this year but was always planned and intended for a vinyl release.

 






Side B : Atten Ash - City in the Sea


On Side B is Atten Ash. A three-piece atmospheric/melodic death-doom band from North Carolina, Atten Ash is the creation of founding member James Greene whose intention with the project was to create something heavier and more colorful with attention to nuance and emotion. Being a multi-instrumentalist, James was able to record the foundations of the songs, giving a clear picture of the powerful nature of the music. Demos slowly took form. In 2011 James began collaborating with Barre Gambling (founding guitarist of Daylight Dies) and Archie Hunt (vocalist/guitarist of Legion of the Fallen) and the trio continued the musical work: arranging songs, establishing vocal patterns, writing lyrics and guitar solos. 

With their full-length album “The Hourglass” already recorded in 2012 though not yet officially released, Atten Ash will present the track “City in the Sea” on their side of the 7” split as the introduction to their band and first official release serving as a prelude to the release of “The Hourglass” to follow shortly.



The test pressing from the plant.
This was just received yesterday and approval will be given within the week to begin production on the official press!




Finally, as you can see, Atten Ash has signed a deal with Hypnotic Dirge Records to release their debut album "The Hourglass" as well as this split vinyl featuring "City in the Sea." Revelations about the full-length packaging, album art, tracklisting, and the first auditory preview of Atten Ash will all be unveiled very soon!


Hypnotic Dirge Records - An Auditory palette for the estranged and eclectic

Hypnotic Dirge Records releases are available on bandcamp for streaming and unrestricted digital download for free / by-donation
because our philosophy is rooted in the principle of open-source and unlimited access.
All donations go towards physical releases and other label expenses

5 déc. 2014

[news] Nocturna - The Gates of Peirah (2015)

Le groupe Nocturna originaire du Liban sortira son premier album The Gates Of Peirah début 2015. On vous donnera plus d'infos prochainement.

artwork by Ivan Abou Debs




Nocturna - The Gates of Peirah (2015)
1- Herald of My Happiness
2- Torn Asunder
3- Ode to thy Mournful Departure
4- Vindictive Storm
5- Whispers of a Sleepless Night
6- The Gates of Peirah
7- The Last Fall
8- Frozen Sun
9- A Cannibal Rose


[news] BE UNDER ARMS Ink Management Deal With GlobMetal Promotions



BE UNDER ARMS Ink Management Deal With GlobMetal Promotions




Russian Nu Metal/Alternative Metal band BE UNDER ARMS has inked a worldwide management deal with GlobMetal Promotions.
The band vocalist Vladimir Nasonov says:


"We started the cooperation with GlobMetal Promotions, as we are very interested in promoting the group in all possible ways, and we believe that this project really helps in this to young bands. We are waiting to see the reaction of the European public on our new album!"


The band formed at the beginning of 2013 by vocalists Anna Logacheva and Vladimir Nasonov, and in 2014 they released their first full-length album "Let shots will be your music" witch GlobMetal Promotions will promote.


4 déc. 2014

[news] PUTRIFIED release their new EP through UNHOLY PROPHECIES!



PUTRIFIED will release their first-ever 7" EP through UNHOLY PROPHECIES!



Swedish Death/Black Metal band PUTRIFIED will release their first ever 7″ EP through the German label UNHOLY PROPHECIES in mid 2015.  The as of yet untitled 7″ EP will follow in the footsteps of the “Sacrilegious Purification” minialbum which was released by Hellthrasher Productions back in 2013. PUTRIFIED mainman A.Death comments: “This will mark the recording debut of PUTRIFIED as a full lineup band, which surely will be reflected in it’s final outcome. We very much look forward to our cooperation with Walter and UNHOLY PROPHECIES.

The upcoming 7″ EP will feature two exclusive original pieces, two shorter instrumental interludes and two additional cover songs.

PUTRIFIED lineup 2014:

A.Death – Vocals & Guitar
Crypt – Drums
P.Apocalypse – Bass
Grave – Guitar


Bandcamp
Facebook
Myspace
YouTube


[news] Simus - Vox Vult (2015)



Simus - Vox Vult - Bakerteam Records - 19 January 2015 



Format: Digi CD
Catalogue Number: BT 045 DP
Barcode: 8025044904505

OVERVIEW:
Simus formed in 2008 and since the beginning they have been aware of their precise and ambitious goal: to express themselves in music, trying to be as true and original as possible, looking for inspiration from many other artistic fields, in order to involve their audience and make it reflect upon their work. Some of the works conceived in this initial phase are included in their first EP 'Human Prison', recorded and mixed in Summer 2009 at Studio One Black Sock in Turin, Italy. In February 2010 the group signed its first contract with Myphonic Records, officially making their first step into the music world. The band promoted the EP by playing live as much as possible, including a Russian tour, and in December 2012 they released their first music video for the song 'Planet Cayak', which will be included in the band's upcoming new album, out in February 2015 on Bakerteam Records.



·         Debut album for one of the most interesting newcomers of the year!
·         Following the critically acclaimed EP ‘Human Prison’
·         Simus are going to tour extensively to promote the new album!

[news] STORMVOLD (Spain) - Third Bestial Mutilation (2014)



Hey readers !
Xtreem Music is relentless and so I have to be. But with so much diversity and quality, it's never a bad thing. This one is from Spain, from the veteran member Ebola of Cryfemal (so underrated!) and many other bands. This dude's got a background. And it works.

STORMVOLD (Spain) - Third Bestial Mutilation (Bestial Death Metal, November 15th, 2014, Xtreem Music)




Stormvold whip out some nasty bestial black/death music. It relies on little else other than pure raging emotions translated to horrifying music. This hearkens back to the time Blasphemy, Necrovore, Possessed, Molested, Sarcofago and others set out on this path but Stormvold add their own touches to the art. There are subtle undercurrents of black metal menace and guile, slashes of blood and chaos, on a canvas of life. It's a war out there, each note struggling to be heard for mental devastation, as the turbulent, rampaging music leaves none unscathed. This is not for the fainthearted but just as well reaches out to all fans of primal metal - thrash, death and black metal.



[news] ATRUM TEMPESTAS (Finland) - Neant (2014)



Hello!

Here's some tingling black metal for your soul. It's atmospheric, expansive and soothing in a way. Check it out! It's recently out on the high quality upcoming label Nordavind Records.

ATRUM TEMPESTAS (Finland) - Neant (Atmospheric Black Metal, October 13th 2014, Nordavind Records)




This is beautiful black metal. It is evocative of the finer moments of your life and as it is with any form of reminiscing, it's partially wistful as well. Musically, it's comparable to Woods of Desolation, Austere, even Alcest but the music is more elegant than overly emotional. Atrum Tempestas maintain a crisp balance in the sound, taking the best of both realms so to speak. It's atmospheric and relies on your imagination to an extent while guiding you through a bleak palette of the colours of life. The three songs are consistent and yet different, portraying something tangible to the heart, something that doesn't wear off soon. This is a sublime debut full length album from members of the veteran band Catamenia and Ars Preasagus.

Nordavind Records - http://nordavindrecords.com/
Nordavind Records Facebook -
https://www.facebook.com/nordavindrecords
Atrum Tempestas Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/MCMXV


[news] PANIKK (Slovenia) - Unbearable Conditions (2014)



Hello!
It's been forever since I sent out a thrash metal news. This one is from Xtreem Music and the owner loves to support metal from all over - Nepal, Chile, Slovenia, etc. Panikk is reminiscent of the Bay Area thrash and it's strangely refreshing these days.

PANIKK (Slovenia) - Unbearable Conditions (Thrash Metal, November 22nd, 2014, Xtreem Music)





These days it's the third world countries that are keeping the thrash metal spirit alive. Panikk from Slovenia release their debut full length album on Xtreem Music that sends you on a nostalgic trip. They're not trying too hard, simply recapturing the magic of the tape-era thrash. We're talking about bands like Metallica, Exodus, Death Angel, Forbidden and Testament before the genre got more extreme and branched out into death and black metal eventually. This is straight up thrash, with emphasis on the feel than the obscurity or rawness, sounding energized, primal (relatively) and heaps of fun.




[news] Infestum (Belarus) - Monuments of Exalted (2014)



Howdy!
Here's an excellent release. It's as refreshing to my ears to work with different kinds of metal releases as it is for you fellas, I'm sure. That's why I make it a point to keep shuffling genres and make sure to work with the best as far as possible. Here's the latest of the Lacerated Enemy Records releases.


INFESTUM (Belarus) - Monuments of Exalted (Blackened Death Metal, October 31st, 2014, Lacerated Enemy Records)






Infestum are the new forward-thinking torchbearers of black metal while remaining true to the original essence of the style. From Belarus, Infestum create epic and moving black metal inspired by Thorns, Emperor, Aborym and Behemoth, and present it with cutting edge methodology, imbibing influences of death metal and industrial harshness. The result is overwhelming if not just awe-inspiring. The grandeur of black metal meets the futuristic sounds of extreme metal. For the first time, Lacerated Enemy Records, a powerful entity for death metal music, is unleashing the magic of black metal and it couldn't have chosen a worthier band to spread its wings.


[news] HUMILIATION (Malaysia) - Battalion (2014)



Hey!

Who doesn't like Bolt Thrower? No one? Thought so. Humiliation from Malaysia seem greatly influenced by that band. Greatly. :D



HUMILIATION (Malaysia) - Battalion (Death Metal, Deepsend Records, October 14th, 2014)







Humiliation from Malaysia are making the dormant masters of war-derived death metal proud. Very few bands are able to work with that band's sound and somewhat take it forward, keeping it juggernaut-ish and kinetic at the same time, and Humiliation are one of them. There's little to dislike about this album because everything is in the right place and it sounds massive. The band has that chunky old school flavour that everyone loves and is playing around with the riffs while not letting you lose sight of the Bolt Thrower imagery in your mind. It's hard to stay still to this - it urges you to pick up your weapons, guitars, sticks, wives and just go march outside and get grimy and lose a limb or two asap.

Lineup -
BEAR BEE: Vocalist
MUDON: Drummer
AFE: Bassist
ASRAF: Guitarist
MATT: Guitarist

Deepsend Records Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/DeepsendRecords


[news] PUTRID EVOCATION (Chile) - Echoes of Death (2014)



Hello!

Here's some killer dark death metal for a change. The band in context is from Chile and the bands there take their death metal seriously. Enjoy this festering slab of death metal done very, very well.

PUTRID EVOCATION (Chile) - Echoes of Death (Death Metal, November 1st, 2014, Xtreem Music)





Putrid Evocation breathes new life in the dark death metal category by also imbibing influences from the old Scandinavian scene such as Abhorrence (Finland), Purtenance, Nihilist, Convulse and of course making Incantation proud. The music is made with serious passion and sincere intent, the songs are fleshed out and exude a vibe that comes naturally, the air is dank and fetid. More importantly, justice is done to the genre. This sounds authentic, in that the band is very comfortable playing in this style even though this happens to be only the band's debut full length. Impeccably structured and paced, 'Echoes of Death' is the next revelation for fans of real death metal.

Putrid Evocation Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/PutridEvocation


Antonio Pantano - Arcandia (2014) [italien]



Antonio Pantano – Arcandia (2014)



Se dovessimo riassumere con una formula il primo album di Antonio Pantano che si chiama Arcandia, potremmo dire che è un “piccolo gioiello”. Dobbiamo riconoscerere che a forza di recensire dischi e di pubblicare notizie di gruppi che si dicono gli uni più innovativi degli altri, dopo un po’ una certa routine ci assale. Per fortuna con Arcandia, Antonio sforna un album che si discosta da percorsi già tracciati e che vi parla al cuore.


Il concept


Alla base di Arcandia c’è un concept. Antonio Pantanto ha comprato due anni fa in lingua originale il libro Cronache del ghiaccio e del fuoco (A Song of Ice and Fire) dello scrittore George R. R. Martin. Non sapeva ancora che HBO aveva realizzato una serie televisiva tratta da questo libro. Cosi’ ha sentito il bisogno di avere una colonna sonora, un fondo sonoro, durante la lettura, per trasmettere e approfondire i suoi sentimenti. Allora si è messo a scrivere la sua colonna sonora. Questo album è il frutto della sua passione. Antonio ha composto, prodotto e mixato Arcandia. Non solo ne ha immaginato la copertina, il libretto, ha disegnato la mappa di Arcandia ma si dedica anche alla promozione dell’album. Possiamo immaginare con facilità a che punto si sia investito per realizzare questo progetto. Come risultato finale Arcandia si presenta come digipack, si apre come un libro ed è la colonna sonora fantasy che riunisce elementi del mondo di George R. R. Martin et di videogiochi come Skyrim o Warcraft.


La storia


Accanto al concept di realizzare un cd che possa offrire una esperienza completa come quella di guardare un film, leggere un libro o giocare a un videogioco, c’è un altro concept ossia quello della storia ambientata nel mondo di Arcandia. Per avere un impatto più forte Arcandia si presenta come album strumentale dove si trova qui e la’ una voce fuori campo che racconta parti della storia e che fa da filo conduttore tra i vari avvenimenti. Questa voce è quella di Peter Baker della BBC. Inoltre le voci dei personaggi sono state realizzate da Antonio. La storia, senza rivelare troppi dettagli visto che vi suggeriamo di comprare il cd, è quella degli abitanti delle summer lands che decidono di scoprire e di esplorare nuove terre e una volta attraversato il mare di Orania approdano nella frozen land. Qui incontrano degli abitanti e delle creature come troll, elfi e i pericolosi Unskinned. Riusciranno a soppravvivere ? Quale sarà il destino delle summer lands? Il grande talento di Antonio è quello di avere scritto una storia che si presenta sotto forma di flashback e di flashforward. Non c’è una cronologia, una successione di fatti diretta ma è il lettore che deve trovarla. Una volta ascoltato il disco e letto il libretto allora tutta la storia appare nella sua globalità.



La musica


Nella intervista che trovate in questo blog, Antonio Pantano rivela che le sue influenze musicali sono i Rhapsody Of Fire e i Queen. E’ evidente che il suono e certe architetture di alcuni titoli si ispirano al modo di suonare di Luca Turilli e ai dischi dei Rhapsody Of Fire. Ci sembra di trovare un’eco con l’album Legendary Tales. Inoltre l’idea di unire la musica a una voce fuori campo che i Rhapsody utilizzano da quando hanno introdotto Christopher Lee nel gruppo, questa stessa idea la ritroviamo in Arcandia. Bisogna sapere che su Arcandia l’utilizzo di una voce fuori campo dà un grande risalto all’album senza mai essere predominante cosa che, a notro modesto parere, i Rhapsody non riescono sempre a fare.
Musicalmente, ci sentiamo di dire che sui titoli piu’ lunghi come Majestic Wind of the Northlands o Escape from the Frost (Across the Crystal Lake) se il ricorso alla sinfonia puo’ far pensare ai Rhapsody e il gusto per certi arrangiamenti a Queen, ci sembra di trovare un feeling che ritroviamo nel modo di suonare di Joe Satriani sul suo album Surfing With The Alien. Troviamo anche un certa “risonanza” com due dischi come Journey To The Centre Of The Earth de Rick Wakemen (pubblicato nel 1974 e uscito in una nuova edizione nel 2014) e Last Days Of Utopia del gruppo Domain. 



L’album di Rick Wakeman mette in musica il libro di Jules Verne, Viaggio al centro della Terra. Sui 27 titoli che lo compongono 12 sono una voce fuori campo che riassume l’opera di Verne, altri sono strumentali e altri sono delle vere e proprie canzoni. Il tutto è arricchito di una componente sinfonica e corale assicurata dall’Orion Orchestra List Abbey e dall’English Chamber Choir. Il lavoro di Antonio Pantano va ancora più lontano visto che in Arcandia c’è il giusto equilibrio tra voce fuori campo e musica e in più c’è l’esplorazione di un mondo fantastico creato appositamente invece di una reinterpretazione di un mondo letterario già esistente.

L’altro disco con cui troviamo una certa “risonanza” è Last Days Of Utopia. Si tratta di un concept album incentrato sulla figura di un giovane che desideroso di avventura e di novità si imbarca lasciando il suo paese. Dopo un naufragio questo giovane si trova essere l’unico superstite e approda su un’isola dove regna la felicità. La capitale di quest’isola paradisiaca è la città di Utopia. Qui il giovane trova l’amore fino a quando gli abitanti dell’isola smettono di rendere omaggio alle loro divinità. Il giovane raccontanto la sua storia e il suo mondo ha fatto in modo di interessare gli abitanti dell’isola che non vedono l’ora di lasciarla anche loro per un mondo nuovo. Gli dèi adirati distruggono l’isola con pioggia e onde disumane. Domain è molto abile a creare una musica che corrisponda in pieno alle emozioni descritte come la gioia (la sete di nuove scoperte), l’armonia (la scoperta dell’amore), il dramma (la distruzione dell’isola). Ritroviamo questa forza e questa abilità in Arcandia e nei suoi arrangiamenti. Anche qui vi è la gioia legata alla ricerca di nuove terre e il fatto di imbarcarsi per nuove mete. Man mano che la storia si svolge, quando i morsi del freddo si fanno spietati, quando gli incontri diventano pericolosi, la musica sa essere rapida, dinamica, potente. Come invece quando scopriamo i boschi (Elvish Woods) o che conosciamo il destino della regina Orania, la musica diventa dolce, malinconica, triste con degli elementi più folk.

Per riassumere possiamo dire che questo album è rivolto a un pubblico paziente. Ci vuole del tempo per esplorarlo, conoscerlo, farlo proprio. Bisogna acoltarlo con attenzione e soprattutto lasciarsi trasportare nel fantastico e pericoloso mondo di Arcandia.


Voto 10/10









Antonio Pantano – Arcandia (2014)
1.         Intro: March to the Frozen Plain        
2.         Hymn to "Brave"       
3.         Valley of the Dragons            
4.         Icy Tempest (The Epic Frost)           
5.         Heroes of the Mighty Castle              
6.         Furia Divina (King Atheristan VI)    
7.         Orania            
8.         Ancient Folks of the North (Clash of the First Century)       
9.         Elvish Woods            
10.       Born from the Cold    
11.       On Top of the World
12.       Majestic Wind of the Northlands      
13.       Escape from the Frost (Across the Crystal Lake)     
14.       Closing: Return to Summer Lands     
15.       Cooley's Reel - Trad (Neoclassic Guitar Vers.) trad           
16.       DragonVale (RPG vers.)       


Bonus



Guardando un po’ più da viciono la mappa di Arcandia un dettaglio balza agli occhi : le frozen lands assomigliano al sud della Gran Bretagna. Un’occhiata al sito metal-archives.com ci permette di sapere che Antonio è originario di Milazzo (Sicilia, Italia) e che ha ottenuto il disploma di professore di ginnastica a Cambridge in Inghilterra nel 2010. questi due elementi ci permettono di avanzare due ipotesi.

Primo che Antonio conosce l’Inghilterra e la città di Cambridge. Se prendiamo una carta dell’Inghilterra e la ribaltiamo troviamo che Cambridge potrebbe essere il « small village » di Arcandia et che la città di Sheffild o di Nottigham potrebbe essere quella dove si trova la Atheristan Fortress.

A sinistra la mappa dell'Inghilterra rovesciata e a destra la mappa di Arcandia


Secondo, potremmo allora immaginare che il viaggio che i protagonisti di Arcandia compiono dal sud (le terre miti delle summer lands) verso il nord freddo e sconosciuto (frozen land) sia anche il viaggio che Antonio ha fatto nelle sua vera vita dal sud (caldo) dell’Italia (la Sicilia) verso il nord freddo (Inghilterra, Cambridge). Questa esperienza reale avrebbe allora dato una base per la realizzazione di Arcandia.