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RINGS OF EARTHLY LIGHT

Eris Pluvia

Rock Progressivo Italiano


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Eris Pluvia Rings of Earthly Light album cover
3.75 | 111 ratings | 13 reviews | 24% 5 stars

Excellent addition to any
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Studio Album, released in 1991

Songs / Tracks Listing

1. Rings of Earthly Light (17:12) :
- a) Earthscore
- b) Portrait
- c) Sell My Feelings
- d) Following Her in a Fantasy Lake
- e) I Re-Emerged, Ancient Knight, in Presence of Metal Knights
2. In the Rising Mist (4:26)
3. The Broken Path (1:32)
4. Glares of Mind (3:56)
5. Pushing Together (4:40)
6. You'll Become Rain (2:14)
7. The Way Home (9:17)

Total Time 43:17

In 2019 a remastered joint version with THE ANCIENT VEIL was released "1991/1995 Rings Of Earthly Light And Other Songs". It contains the following bonus tracks courtesy of Ancient Veil (who were an offshoot from the first album lineup)

8. Through The Sky (Unpublished) (4:04)
9. And When The Train Has Left (Unpublished) (2:43)
10. Flying (Instrumental) (4:00)
11. Youīll Become Rain Part Two (2:14)
12. Walking Around (1:38)
13. Landscape And Two (3:41)

Line-up / Musicians

- Alessandro Serri / voice, electric & acoustic guitars, flute
- Paolo Raciti / piano, keyboards
- Edmondo Romano / recorder, flute, saxophone, backing vocals
- Marco Forella / bass, acoustic guitar
- Martino Murtas / drums & percussion
- Valeria Caucino / vocals (1c)
- Enrico Paparella / acoustic guitar (3)
- Alessandro Cavatorti / acoustic guitar (4)
- Sabrina Quarelli / violin (4 & 7)


Releases information

Musea #FGBG 4048.AR
LIZARD CD 0146 (remastered with ANCIENT VEIL tracks)

Thanks to ProgLucky for the addition
and to kenethlevine for the last updates
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ERIS PLUVIA Rings of Earthly Light ratings distribution


3.75
(111 ratings)
Essential: a masterpiece of progressive rock music(24%)
24%
Excellent addition to any prog rock music collection(41%)
41%
Good, but non-essential (27%)
27%
Collectors/fans only (4%)
4%
Poor. Only for completionists (4%)
4%

ERIS PLUVIA Rings of Earthly Light reviews


Showing all collaborators reviews and last reviews preview | Show all reviews/ratings

Collaborators/Experts Reviews

Review by loserboy
PROG REVIEWER
4 stars This has been one of my all time favorite Italian prog releases of the 90's. Alessandro Serri's vocals alone will put you into a deep trance. His soft caressing vocals are set to some of the most beautiful prog you can hear. The title and opening track to this day remains in my opinion one of the milestones in modern prog rock. ERIS PLUVIA offer here some very beautiful and emotional proggy moments which you will fall in love with and never let go of. Highly recommended!

Review by lor68
PROG REVIEWER
3 stars Well this unknown band from Italy, produced a pretty album within the light school of Canterbury, in the course of 1991. Their clear references to CAMEL (period of "MoonMadness") and such pleasant music excursions too, a bit in the vein of HATFIELD & THE NORTH (naturally regarding the melodic side of these latter), make this unique issue a recommended album, even though it is not a masterpiece, if you consider the whole school of Canterbury.
Review by belz
PROG REVIEWER
4 stars 4.3/5.0

Wow, this album is great! Actually, it is one of the few prog album I enjoy from the nineties. Some people ay this is neo-prog, but I am not sure... The sound is certainly "modern", but still it does not sound like there is much influence from post-80s groups. " Rings Of Earthly Light" is one of the best prog song I ever listened to, period. The rest of the album is not as beautiful and strong, but this is an easy album to listen to with great melodies and you should like it a lot if you like PFM or Locanda delle Fate, especially if you like some nostalgy in your music. A really good addition to your collection!

Review by NJprogfan
PROG REVIEWER
3 stars Italian one-shot band from the 90's who are listed as Symphonic. Actually, they fall more towards the Neo side of prog. There is some flute playing and guitar in the Steve Hackett vain, but it's a constant beat throughout most of the album with saxophone taking up alot of the solo's where I would have liked to have heard some keyboards instead. The first track is the most progressive with a few shifts in tempo and color. When the sax chimes in tho, it flattens out the sound. Flute runs through the song also, but instead of invoking an Italian sound, it is more in line with Celtic folk, especially during part (c) when a female singer pops up. Valerie Caucino's voice would sound very much at home in a band like Iona, or Mostly Autumn, it's that good. There are some instrumental songs that have more of an interesting sound, ('The Broken Path' for instance) but they're way too short. Besides the flat sounding sax, lead singer Alessandro Serri sings in English which, a) sounds more Northern European then Southern and b) draws attention to the awful lyrics. I wish he stuck to his native tongue, at least I wouldn't have understood what he was singing about. I love Italian Symph, and this album has been highly regarded, but I cannot recommend this album as good Italian Symphonic prog, more Folky/Neo and bland at that. A disappointing 2.5 stars, rounded to 3.
Review by kenethlevine
SPECIAL COLLABORATOR Prog-Folk Team
5 stars This is easily one of the most beautiful sounding, melodic and romantic (in every sense) albums ever made. So many passages ache with an epiphany of wonder and awe, a drawing of inspiration as a deep breath.

Rings of Earthly Light is hard to place stylistically, as it came at the dawn of the prog revival of the 1990s. While the group is Italian, the sound doesn't harken that much to the classic prog period of that country. While there are neo prog elements, there is also more of an ancient sound to it, medieval almost, enhanced by flutes, recorders, great sax, and acoustic guitars, and it is all so unhurried, which pretty much negates the neo comparison. In fact, what Alessandro Serri manages to convey so well from an emotional perspective in a mere half minute near the end of the best cut, "The Way Home", can take an entire album for most bands to say poorly.

Nothing is weak here, and although the album is overwhelmingly gentle, it has some very upbeat and loud moments, chiefly in segments of the masterful title suite and in the short but potent "The Broken Path". These moments blend artistically into the pastoral nature of "in the Rising Mist", "You'll Become Rain" and "Pushing Together".

Rings of Earthly Light represents a fortuitous union between progressive folk and symphonic progressive rock, resulting in a transcendent work of unmatched beauty,

Review by Mellotron Storm
PROG REVIEWER
3 stars I know a lot of people feel this is a modern classic, and it is a nice peice of pastoral Italian music ,but for me it's lacking that atmosphere. If they had used more synths or included mellotron it would have made a huge difference for me. Now understand i'm not big on Prog- Folk which this would be classified under if it wasn't Italian. Too bad they sing in English and not in Italian.

"Rings Of Earthly Light" opens with flute before it kicks in quickly. I like the sax. Vocals 2 1/2 minutes in. A great sound follows. The guitar starts to solo after 4 minutes before settling right down with reserved vocals. Sax and drums take the lead 6 minutes in. Vocals are back 8 minutes in. Guest female vocals at 9 1/2 minutes then the male vocals return. Flute then leads the way until about 15 minutes in. Sax is back and guitar comes in late. "In The Rising Mist" features acoustic guitar melodies with synths and flute helping out. Vocals 2 minutes in. "The Broken Path" builds before the guitar leads the way.

"Glares Of Mind" opens with acoustic guitar before the flute joins in. Beautiful track with some violin too. "Pushing Together" opens with a pastoral soundscape. Reserved vocals before 1 1/2 minutes. The sound does get fuller. Electric guitar after 3 1/2 minutes. "You'll Become Rain" starts out with acoustic guitar and fragile vocals but does get fuller. "The Way Home" is mellow to start with vocals, flute and acoustic guitar. Light drums arrive. It's fuller 2 1/2 minutes in. Sax follows. Electric guitar after 4 minutes. It then settles. Sax before 7 minutes. Synths join in. Great sound. Vocals follow and sax ends it.

A good nineties RPI release but one that is lacking for me in many ways.

Review by Tarcisio Moura
PROG REVIEWER
4 stars After listening to (and falling in love with) Eris Pluvia second album, I knew I had to look for their debut. I had not great expectations, since the time apart between the first and the second CD was īonly` 19 years (!). Also two key members also had left the band during this time, so I was supposing this work would be quite different. And it is, although some similiarities are easy to find too.

Released in 1991, Rings of Earthly Light is an excellent album that is very hard to label. Their music is a unique blend of 70īs symphonic prog, folk, jazz and baroque music put together. There are not too many albums (prog or otherwise) that youīll see two such different instruments like sax and recorders being played along in the same CD, often in the same track. The results are surprisingly good, giving the group a very distinctive sound. Although they are from Italy, they sing in (heavily accented) english and they donīt sound like most prog bands from that country. Their music is quite varied and interesting, with some fine melodies and tempo changes that shows at least some familiar influences (Gabreil-era Genesis, Jethro Tull and PFM are the obvious ones).

All the tracks are very good, and the opener, the 17 minute suite bearing the albumīs title is surely a highlight Vocals are not expectacular and I wish they sang in their native language, but they probably wanted to reach a broader audience. However, Alessandro Serri gives a convincing perfomance as a singer. Production is very good. Again my only complaint is the albumīs short running time. It leaves the sensation of longing for more too soon.

Conclusion: an excellent work. Even if I still like their second CD more than this one, Rings Of Earthly Light was a brilliant start and a very nice addition to my collection. A 90īs gem, no less. Letīs hope they donīt take so much time to relase another one. Rating: 4 strong stars.

Review by apps79
SPECIAL COLLABORATOR Honorary Collaborator
4 stars Another band among those appeared in the late 80's/early 90's Italian prog movement,ERIS PLUVIA came from Genova and were found in 1988 by Alessandro Cavatorti (guitar), Paolo Raciti (piano and keyboard), Edmondo Romano (flute and sax), Marco Forella (bass), Martino Murtas (drums) and Alessandro Serri (vocals and guitar).The band gigged extensively with tracks already composed for their debut since their early years.A demo entitled ''Pushing together'' appeared in 1990 making them more known to the audience and next year ''Rings of earthly light'' sees indeed the earthly light,with original member Alessandro Cavatorti participating only on the acoustic guitar parts of the early track ''Glares Of Mind''.

STYLE: ERIS PLUVIA were one of the few bands in Italy to sing in English lyrics,however their sound is a mix of English and Italian Prog.Soft,romantic,melodic,intricate,filled with medieval tunes and acoustic guitars,''Rings of earthly light'' comes like a cross between Symphonic and Folk Rock.Reasonably the album is highlighted by the 17 min. title track,containing all the above characterictistics: alternating electro-acoustic guitars,flute recorders everywhere,smooth male and female vocals adding a medieval taste,percussions sounds from another age with sax parts being a major reference of the band's sound.The shorter tracks are a mixed bag of Symphonic Rock and Medieval music,where keys (mostly piano and harpsichord) and flutes are more present.Nice folk- tinged melodies,mellow guitar solos and dominant flutes create a nice well-aged landscape of the mind.I can also detect a few jazzy/Canterbury-influenced guitar hooks in some electric parts.

SOUNDS LIKE/INFLUENCES: ERIS PLUVIA have a quite original approach to music,but I would easily compare them with a less dark,definitely folkier but equally atmospheric version of EZRA WINSTON.

PLUS: Excellent combination of Symphonic Rock tendencies and Medieval,archaic music.Nice melodic stuff all around,with parts of it being really atmospheric and emotional.Fantastic flute tunes coming from the past.The title track and the closer contains also fascinating sax work.Generally the arrangements are well-crafted and carefully composed.

MINUS: Very soft music overall,which lacks a bit in dynamics and energy.Biggest problem comes from the use of English lyrics and the rather unexpressionable mediocre male vocals.

WILL APPEAL TO: Anyone,who wants to enjoy some soft proggy relaxing music with folk leanings.Symphonic,Folk and Classic Prog fans have also some good reasons to search for this album.

CONCLUSION/RATING: A very good album of the post-70's Italian Prog scene,which has a lot to offer to is listener.I wish they only had sung the tracks in their native language. However,ERIS PLUVIA are over-saturated in terms of talent and ''Rings of earthly light'' can be a pure eartlhy delight for most of the prog fans.Highly recommended!

Review by b_olariu
PROG REVIEWER
3 stars Eris Pluvia is one of the italian prog bands that revitalized the early 90's prog scene with the album Rings of earhly light, released in 1991 at Musea records. Well, to tell the truth I was not so knock out by the music offered as many reviewers from here, but is an ok album to my ears, maybe little more then ok in places. Eris Pluvia playes a type of symphonic prog melted with folk and pastoral passages, very much similar with Ezra Winston, Rousseau or even some Camel influences are present. The arrangemnts are highly melodic, well orchestrated and with plenty of good moments, nice acustic elements added and violin aswell. Overall I like it, but is to much mellow parts and only few sparse segments of more energy infuse, I can't say is a bad thing but not really my cup of tee for every day listning. The opening track is by far the best from the album Rings Of Earthly Light clocking around 18 min divided in 5 parts, capture all the best moments Eris Pluvia had and has since then, I think the best tune they ever made. All in all, a decent and pleasent album, but to me the release fail to impress me big time, I think 3 stars is fair enough.

Latest members reviews

4 stars The seven tracks of this album are all legendary to me. This review is about "Rings Of Earthly Light", the debut album from 1991 by the five-piece Italian band Eris Pluvia. It is the Musea label that released the album, an event that toke place in the year that I was struck by a stroke. I always ... (read more)

Report this review (#3085426) | Posted by Ligeia9@ | Sunday, August 25, 2024 | Review Permanlink

3 stars My review about ERIS PLUVIA "Rings of Earthly Lights" is almost the same review of PROG REVIEWER b olariu ! I recognize the great importance which this album in the early 90's ( the progressive rock "resurrection" moment ) but, like he said ( in other words ) this is don't figures day by day ... (read more)

Report this review (#1770967) | Posted by maryes | Sunday, August 13, 2017 | Review Permanlink

5 stars the best italy prog records are 70's era more or less, but ERIS PLUVIA rings is a great post and lost classic of the neo-prog scene.Great instrumental tracks beautiful voices what do you want from a prog-fan life? Not one trackis better than the others and so: 5 stars for one more MUSEA classi ... (read more)

Report this review (#60344) | Posted by RIVERMAN | Wednesday, December 14, 2005 | Review Permanlink

4 stars An italian record that mixes pastioral feelings and Camel influences. Like some other folk-prog or folk rock groups (Gwendal or Celtas Cortos for example), they shine with the use of sax to spice up their sound. Although this instrument may seem out of place in the folk language, they make it work p ... (read more)

Report this review (#18619) | Posted by Paco Fox | Thursday, February 19, 2004 | Review Permanlink

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