DECALOGUE OF DARKNESS

DAAL is a project from Italy, headed by core members Alfio Costa (keyboards) and Davide Guidoni (drums). They are having a very productive phase in the back. With the result of two studio albums, plus a solo project produced by Davide, which he recently released under the moniker B-Rain. When necessary, while acting like an entire rock band, there is some exquisite support available due to Ettore Salati (guitars) and bass player Bobo Aiolfi. According to the album title it may go for a dispute over religious themes, though lyrics aren't available, for the simple reason that this is completely instrumental. Obviously evaluated in the eye of the beholder. The booklet pictures are going for a strong cinematic orientation, including exorcism, horror, mysticism and similar, just in the vein of fellow countrymen Goblin maybe.

In any case, when listening to 'Decalogue Of Darkness', you are experiencing an eclectic symphony across 10 chapters, which means a running time of about 70 minutes in total. Chapter I turns out to be a wonderful opener. Alfio Costa's effective mellotron input strikes immediately. A somewhat bittersweet lift-off, very nice main melody. Corresponding to the visual concept DAAL are providing a rather dark mooded sound, though not really depressive anyhow. Davide Guidoni puts out all the stops too, with diverse gradiations of rock and jazz. He's a prolific drummer for sure. You will find variations such as deeply moving parts dominated by symphonic patterns, furious interplays, heavy rocking turns as well as melancholic acoustic guitar and piano driven interludes. I would especially point out Chapter X as a very profound partition. Well, can't name another prog album yet which is that blatantly mellotron drenched. Something special, bravo!