ETERNAL ECLIPSE OF FROST

Dunwich is a strange Italian Progressive project that began in 1985 with keyboardist Claudio Nigris' fascination for ancient themes using new instruments, delving into medieval, baroque and Celtic areas of inspiration , this being the third chapter in their discography. His keyboard style is very reminiscent of the Enid's Robert John Godfrey, in that his orchestrations are massive, bombastic and heavily synthesized, with an almost classical flair. Karya Sanna provides the female voice, aided and abetted by lush and plentiful male choir backup arrangements, giving this an almost operatic feel at times. The drums are programmed but sound very good in this misty whirlwind of sound. There are loads of guest musicians on cello, viola, violin, hurdy-gurdy, Celtic harp, various brass instruments, some tremendous heavy lead guitar by Phil Salera, bass and real drums. The music is a very complex brew that is completely original with an ever present Celtic- Gothic feel, Enid-like orchestrations and huge vocal choir work that is quite stunning. There are also brief spoken introductions that give this a concept feel, at times spooky and gloomy as if echoing off the spiraled dungeon walls, then suddenly swerving into more pastoral settings, hinting at folkish histories and then sliced up with some shivering lead guitar that rather evokes the Trans Siberian Orchestra! Highlights include the stunning "Passaggio a Saint- Briac", the shimmering 2-part "Il Vento di Aran" , the purely pastoral beauty of "Alchiminga" , loaded with medieval instruments and assorted vocal effects leading into the majestic "Preparazione al Trono" with a sizzling lead by Salera that screams and creams as if a Satriani was in the house, complemented by massed male voices and violin solo, very nice indeed. "La Veglia dei Angeli" is outright lumbering and is not one of my favorites here with heavy double bass drumming, crunchy rhythm and lead axes chopping away at the arrangement, as if in some state of ecstasy, a torrent of sound and fury. "L"avorio di Trene" is more whirlwindesque, a spiraling vocal melody, with wondrous harp , booming bass, poly drumming and Sanna's voice reaching for the heavens, again helped by huge testosterone massed choirs. "Il Bosco Sacro" is another quieter piece, with a delicate string quartet intro, a typical mellifluous vocal gymnastic display from Karya and a gentle exit. Two unnamed and unaccredited bonus tracks offer up more of the same recipe, great background music, perhaps ideal at Halloween or the wintery months where such "cold and frosty" music can enjoy entertaining the CD player. A good addition if you are looking for something a bit different to scare your neighbors with. 4 sacred bushes.