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WatcherOfTheSkies88 
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Joined: February 22 2010
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 Topic: Jacula - Tardo Pede In Magiam Versus
Posted: March 08 2010 at 19:16 |
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Who here has heard the obscure occult band Jacula from the early 70's? For those who do not know, their main instrument is the church organ. Lyrics are sung mostly in Italian, the atmosphere is very dark/spooky, with bass guitar, electric guitar, acoustic guitar, and flute making appearances throughout as well. Their first album from 1969 "In Cauda Semper Stat Venenum" features some very heavy electric guitar, with some drums and church organ, with a male vocalist. I think it's an ok album... but nothing compared to their second album "Tardo Pede In Magiam Versus" from 1972. All heavy electric guitars are taken out (which is actually a good thing in this case, because this music is all about the atmosphere... and the heavily distorted guitar in the first album sounded kind of cheesy and took away from the atmosphere) and a female takes over on vocals (which is a crucial decision to the greatness of this album... her voice is very haunting and beautiful. The male vocalist on the first album didn't even try to sing.) So, what we have with this second album is no drums and no electric guitars... just a spooky as hell masterpiece of progressive music. The first song is one of my all time favorites: "U.F.D.E.M.", and the rest of the songs are great as well, IMO. Basically, this album is the perfect halloween album. And the evil atmosphere on this album is not just for show... apparently this band performed their songs during seances. It's not technically prog rock, but it is progressive music... long songs throughout. Oh, and the album cover is awesome as hell. Here are some samples:
U.F.D.E.M.: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SEyWQGx3rac
Praesentia Domini: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BWF9N0yijZs&feature=related
Edited by WatcherOfTheSkies88 - March 08 2010 at 19:17
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A Person
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Joined: November 10 2008
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Posted: March 08 2010 at 19:17 |
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I love Jacula, although I need to be in the mood for that band.
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Raff
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Joined: July 29 2005
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Points: 24439
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Posted: March 08 2010 at 19:19 |
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We have both of the band's albums, and at least one from their following incarnation, Antonius Rex. To be perfectly honest, I am not crazy about them, but both my husband (MIcky) and Jim (Finnforest) are huge fans of the band, and are sure to chime in soon.
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Tsevir Leirbag
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Joined: May 03 2009
Location: Montréal
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Points: 8321
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Posted: March 08 2010 at 19:21 |
They're great, one excellent band. 
Their story his strange though. Oh but I don't mind... Strange tastes good.
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Les mains, les pieds balancés
Sur tant de mers, tant de planchers,
Un marin mort,
Il dormira
- Paul Éluard
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Finnforest
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Joined: February 03 2007
Location: The Heartland
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Points: 17464
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Posted: March 08 2010 at 19:28 |
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Oh God I love the two Jacula albums, especially the second one. I will simply refer you to my LONG reviews of them here on the site, no need for me to gush here. Groundbreaking music, Bartoccetti's Sabbath like guitar and sinister tone beat Iomni to the punch, and yet everyone accuses Antonio of copying Iomni. No so. The Church organ legend Charles Tiring, and the Doris Norton vocals just put me in trance. LOVE it.
Antonius Rex is a much more mixed bag. But I can recommend a couple if anyone needs help.
The dark religious overtones are not my thing, but I don't care, they don't hinder my enjoyment of the music whatsoever. Good is good.
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...that moment you realize you like "Mob Rules" better than "Heaven and Hell"
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Raff
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Joined: July 29 2005
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Posted: March 08 2010 at 19:30 |
Incidentally, today I started a review of an album by an Italian guy that goes by the name of Tony Tears  , and who is definitely a huge Jacula fan. So much that one of the tracks on his album is called "Fiamma Dello Spirito"  !
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Finnforest
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Joined: February 03 2007
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Posted: March 08 2010 at 19:57 |
I'll be curious to read that one Raff! He must harbor a secret crush on Doris, as I do 
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...that moment you realize you like "Mob Rules" better than "Heaven and Hell"
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TODDLER
Forum Senior Member
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Joined: August 28 2009
Location: Vineland, N.J.
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Posted: March 08 2010 at 22:01 |
 Finnforest wrote:
The dark religious overtones are not my thing, but I don't care, they don't hinder my enjoyment of the music whatsoever. Good is good.
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They do hinder the enjoyment of the music for me.  I have mixed feelings. I heard them years ago and was generally impressed. I was quite disturbed when a prog fan informed me, that on one of their releases they are either reading from the Satanic bible or reciting a Satanic ritual in Italian. I like music that is mysterious sounding but does not disturb me. Jeff Grienke can be disturbing to the many ears of electronic fans but in another but brighter sense he leaves defining the un-definable to you. You can personally create your own darkside to his music. Jacula seems more appealing to those who travel the left hand path. I listen to ...."Black Mass/Lucifer by Mort Garson and again it sets the course for many dark mind sets. I could visualize anything I dream of while the music plays but with Jacula, I felt restricted to following in the footsteps of Satan. I can see many progressive rock fans overlooking the religious overtones and fully enjoying the music. I can also get a visual of a person that dresses in a black cloak, walking around talking to the spirits and maybe owning the entire Jacula collection. 
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Finnforest
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Posted: March 09 2010 at 09:48 |
^
Well, of course it all up to the listener how they approach music. I can assure you, I don't own a black cloak and I have no pet crow
Yes the ritual chanting can be imposing, but since the lyrics are in Italian it is just sound to me. Were they in English maybe I could not ignore it, who knows?
But Comus, Therion, many other bands also have very controversial lyrics and/or imagery. I guess my bottom line belief is that an artist can explore the occult in an interesting way without necessarily promoting evil. (Remember those who wanted to blame Ozzy for suicides? Or was it Priest?)
The listener has to be responsible to deal with what they hear as art and not get caught up in it. Or so they tell me about some of the disgusting rap lyrics out there.
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...that moment you realize you like "Mob Rules" better than "Heaven and Hell"
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Nightfly
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Joined: August 01 2007
Location: United Kingdom
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Posted: March 09 2010 at 10:16 |
I have Tardo Pede........, in fact i reviewed it for PA around 6 months ago. While not being one of my favourite Italian albums i do enjoy it. It's the church organ that makes it for me - just love that sound! Must admit I'm not wild about the vocals though.
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progressive
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Joined: October 08 2005
Location: Finland
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Points: 366
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Posted: March 09 2010 at 11:15 |
I just love it, especially U.F.D.E.M.If anyone knows any music with church organ.. or, well, even a piano and a female vocalist there, please let me know. Of course there's some jazz ones, but I'm more interested in modern classical.
And anyway, if you're interested in music like Jacula or want to recommend some, please, please, post in this thread: "Most psychedelic - recommendations thread"
The name is a bit bad, maybe better would be "occult music thread". |
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Jacula - Tardo Pede In Magiam Versus