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Ancient Veil - The Ancient Veil CD (album) cover

THE ANCIENT VEIL

Ancient Veil

Rock Progressivo Italiano


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kenethlevine
SPECIAL COLLABORATOR
Prog-Folk Team
3 stars After such a beautifully executed symphonic progressive album as "Rings of Earthly Light", Eris Pluvia had a tough act to follow, which may be why the duo of Alessandro Serri and Edmondo Romano were exfoliated as "The Ancient Veil". Eris Pluvia had somehow synthesized a work that appealed to the romantic soul in all of us, and I mean romance in the broadest sense, and it achieved this feat with almost no drama or flash. It was a journey that overshot the destination.

Such is not the case with the Ancient Veil. It is pretty in many places but even more mellow than "Rings", which is saying something, and some songs, like the opener, beginning with one of the few lead guitar segments, and closer, lack development, focus and sustained interest. I have not found this album to grow on me the way "Rings" did. I get the sense that the guys are jamming as opposed to playing a composition, that "let's see what we can try next", so if you favour such a haphazard approach you may enjoy this alot. Perhaps out-takes from their debut? That said, it is still a pretty unique album that has the stamp of these two fine gentlemen all over it, especially on the instrumental pieces dominated by woodwinds like "Feast of the Puppets" and "Dance of the Elves". The titles alone give you the picture. Several vocal oriented songs also stand out and are reminiscent of earlier material, like "Can you feel me" and "Dance Around your slow time". Unfortunately there is no "wake up" song like "The Broken Path", the closest being the vocally rich "Walking Around".

Eris Pluvia's debut achieved singular status in the world of prog for its gentle jazz, folk and classically inflected sound, and, while this offshoot bears many textural similarities, it fails to unveil the candid emotions and humble symphonic grandeur of that earlier album.

Report this review (#138355)
Posted Friday, September 14, 2007 | Review Permalink
Mellotron Storm
PROG REVIEWER
2 stars THE ANCIENT VEIL arose out of the ashes of ERIS PLUVIA. Similar style as that band without a doubt and with pretty much the same array of instruments although I did feel this album i'm reviewing has a Celtic and Jazz flavour at times that the former didn't. Neither album is really in the style that I like. Both are very pastoral with reserved English vocals.

"Ancient Veil" is pleasant sounding with flutes, viola and acoustic guitar. Sax and percussion lead 3 1/2 minutes in. A calm a minute later with vocals to follow. Flute is back later. "Flying" has a Celtic flavour and it picks up a minute in. This almost sounds like a jig at times. Not my style. Vocals late. There's also a string quartet and aboe on this one. "Feast Of The Puppets" has flute, drums and bass leading. "Creatures Of The Lake" features vocals, flute, percussion and acoustic guitar. "Gleam" is a brighter tune with lots of acoustic guitar and flute. "Walking Around" has these male and female operatic vocals. That sound you here is me running like hell.

"The Dance Of Elves" is a short tune that opens with flute followed by violin. "You'll Become Rain Pt.II" is another short piece, this one has the string quartet on it. "Can You Feel Me ?" features those reserved vocals and a catchy beat. Flute too. Some nice prominant bass after 3 minutes. "Dance Around My Slow Time" has some light programmed drums on it with piano, acoustic guitar and vocals. Aboe and sax later. "Night Thoughts" is pastoral early but it does get fuller. Viola 4 minutes in and sax later. Trumpet on this one as well. "Landscape And Two" features these solemn Bolivian flutes. "New" has vocals, aboe, classical guitar and cello. "Talking Frame" opens with reserved vocals in a pastoral setting. Piano, flute and light drums come in and lead. Sax and bass a minute in then the tempo picks up but it continues to shift throughout. Very jazzy sax 3 minutes in. Vocals are back with flute as the song continues to play out.

Not as good as ERIS PLUVIA's "Rings Of Earthly Light" which for me was barely 3 stars.

Report this review (#277710)
Posted Monday, April 12, 2010 | Review Permalink
apps79
SPECIAL COLLABORATOR
Honorary Collaborator
3 stars The Ancient Veil was an Eris Pluvia offshoot band, found in 1992 and led by guitarist/singer Alessandro Serri and flute/sax player Edmondo Romano.The next year the duo produced the demo tape ''"Morning After" and mid-90's finds them at their creative peak.Having signed with Mellow Records, The Ancient Veil covered the song ''"The lamia" for the Mellow Records' Genesis' tribute album ''The River of Constant Change'', while the same year they released their self-titled sole output.

As being members of Eris Pluvia, Serri's and Romano's compositions on ''The Ancient Veil'' have straight connections with their previous band's style,though this time they pushed the sound into a folkier and softer direction than the more symphonic approach of Eris Pluvia.With session musicians helping on bass, drums, keyboards and strings, the musicianship is characterized by Serri's soft acoustic touches, the melodic sax leads and the medieval-sounding flutes of Romano's , supported either by strings or light background keyboards, thus creating a modern Progressive/Folk Rock work with hints from Classical and Jazz music at moments.The mood overall is relaxing with the duo focusing on elaborate harmonies and dreamy soundscapes than delivering anything complex or adventurous.A few tracks though offer the sensitive electric guitars of Serri, sounding a lot like the Eris Pluvia's delivery and ending up to be a bit more energetic.Additionally most of the compositions include the romantic singing of Serri with his slightly accented English.

The album is not particularly exciting, however some tracks stand out, having multiple-influenced arrangements and great vocal harmonies.''The Ancient Veil'' is a great discovery for fans of contemporary Progressive Folk or anyone looking for an album creating a dreamy and relaxing atmosphere.Overall recommended.

Report this review (#604465)
Posted Saturday, January 7, 2012 | Review Permalink

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