I VIAGGI DI MADELEINE

Hailing from Lecce, in the Salentine Peninsula, I Viaggi di Madeleine took shape in 2015 on the initiative of experienced multi-instrumentalist and composer Francesco Carella, guitarist Giuseppe Cascarano and drummer Giuseppe Quarta with the aim of playing original music in a progressive rock vein. After a hard studio work, some demos and an intense live activity on the Apulian scene, in 2019 they self-released an interesting eponymous debut album mixing melodies and complex structures with a strong emotional touch and good personality. The album features five long tracks, each one preceded by a short narrative introduction where you can hear the voices of two actors, Elena Selleri and Mauro Bux, describing in Italian and English the subject matter of the pieces while the beautiful art work by Simone Lomartire tries provide a visual description of the content of the album...

The title of the opener "Kamaloka" refers to a theosophical term associated with Hades of ancient Greeks and the Amenti of the Egyptians, the land of Silent Shadows. It's a piece that starts by dark atmospheres and sounds evoking obscure shadows moving through the gates of the afterlife. At some point your eyes open and finally you can see what the world will become after passing away... Then heavy electric guitar riffs and visionary lyrics conjure up apocalyptic landscapes. You can smell the living blood of innocent souls lost underground on their way to hell while demons and witches pour down the streets of power devouring matter and swallowing vital sap. In the air thunders the echo of the diabolical thoughts of contorted minds contaminated by sinful desires as empty men are crowding a cardboard temple to pray the feared god of the dead. The music goes through many changes in rhythm and mood always maintaining a strong Gothic flavour...

The following "Contrappunti d'autunno" (Autumn counterpoints) starts by a tense instrumental section, then melancholic vocals paint shadows hanging over you like eternal sand vortexes. Your freedom slowly melts, erased by responsibilities and daily routines, your dreams fall down like autumn leaves. But sooner or later a new sun will rise, a new life bringing on new dreams to follow and new hopes. Just like autumn our civilization dries out and dies but from its ruins a seed will grow to bring on a new humanity...

The nightmarish "Gods Of Distant Worlds" is sung in English and evokes terrifying deaf creatures coming from distant worlds threatening to cancel human evolution. Heavy electric guitar riffs alternate with dark organ passages... In my opinion, this piece could be a perfect background for the reading of a H.P. Lovecraft tale from the Cthulhu Mythos!

Then it's the turn of "Il viaggio" (The journey) that tells in music and words of a spiritual experience, a long walk leading up to a tall mountain top looking for the real essence of things, for a possible solution of your problems and a way out from an empty life... When the silence is broken you're lost in the darkness, ready to set off on a trip without time and space through the colours of another dimension...

The last track, "Mendicante" (Beggar), is in part sung in English and in part in Italian. It's a complex piece that tells of the come back from a time of strict discipline and firm restraint to look for the truth in the heart of men. The music and words seem freely inspired by the character of Gautama Buddha and conjure up the image of a beggar of emotions walking the streets of the world, meeting people and trying to reach the inner source of the burning flame that enlightens the mind...

On the whole, a very good work dealing with transcendental and spiritual issues in an original, personal way.