THE LOST VISION OF THE CHANDOO PRIEST

The Lost Vision Of The Chandoo Priest is a side project of two talented multi-instrumentalists: Francesca Zanetta (electric guitar, bass guitar, Eminent Solina, Logan String Melody 2, Elka Rhapsody 490, Moog Voyager - from Unreal City, Quel Che Disse Il Tuono) and Niccol' Gallani (drums, bass guitar, electric guitar, Fender Rhodes, Hammond organ, mellotron, Elka Soloist 505, flute - from Cellar Noise, Quel Che Disse Il Tuono). In 2021 they recorded in Milan an interesting eponymous album that was released the following year on the independent AMS Records label. According to the artists, it's a collection of music and soundscapes written, arranged and performed during a period of isolation due to the coronavirus pandemic and, as you can guess from the artwork, the psychedelic influences are very strong...

The opener 'Floating Down The Valley' starts softly with organ and guitar in the forefront. Every now and again it could recall the soundtrack of a Spaghetti Western and, with its melancholic mood and a disquieting sense of impending tragedy, in my opinion it could be the perfect background for the reading of the Dark Tower series or The Stand by Stephen King, like the following 'Chasing Time In Opposite Direction (Part I)' and 'Entering The Void Of Madness'...

Then it's the turn of 'The White Toad Majesty' that starts by a strange marching beat while the dreamy middle section takes you to fairy tale atmospheres before the final jumps... Next comes the mysterious, nocturnal 'Droplets' with its slow pace and reflective mood. It leads to the effervescent 'Chasing Time In Opposite Direction (Part II)' that brings back action movie atmospheres like the following 'Getting Nowhere'...

The vintage sounds of 'London Underground' drive you through an imaginary trip under the streets of London where you have to "mind the gap" to avoid a dangerous fall... 'Farewell, Dog' is a charming piece that blends nervous riffs and short folksy passages. Then 'Dunans Castle' (the title refers to a historic structure located in Glendaruel, on the Cowal peninsula, Argyll and Bute, Scotland) ends the album evoking pastoral landscapes and a relaxing sense of peace and love...

On the whole, an interesting instrumental album that deserves a try...