Catafalchi del Cyber: their stunning debut album “Benediktus und vobis quoque, catafalcus est tu”.
It comes in a very special, interactive edition!
Preview here:
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The band forms in 2003 during a King Crimson concert in Verona. Ravenoldi & Bertolini propose to give birth to a musical project of clear progressive rock ascendancies to their friends Roversi & Gallio (which already played together with “OPS”). The first psychedelic influences lead the way to an instrumental repertoire.
Though one cannot deny that there are influences by the big names of prog rock, in Bertolini/Ravenoldi's compositions there is a sense of looking for an original musical personality, thanks also to the skilled work as producer of Cristiano Roversi (known for his band Moongarden, and for his many collaborations with John Wetton Band, Mangala Vallis, The Watch, Massimo Zamboni and his newborn trio with Bernardo Lanzetti and Gigi Cavalli Cocchi).
While working at the album the band's line-up developed: along with the founders Ravenoldi (vocals, keyboards, electric and acoustic guitar) and Bertolini (bass, theremin and acoustic guitar), The Emperor, l’Imperatore (keys and pedal bass) and the obscure, controversial Ersiker Anaman (drums and percussions).
The ironical and desecrating, scoffing attitude of this band is interesting and controversial. Catafalchi's style is surely imbibed with a powerful aphrodisiac -or poison, but at the same time it offers us a specimen of very high quality musicianship and composition. This is true about the lyrics as well: they range from nonsense to deep and reflecting.
The graphic artwork and packaging, both of the digipack CD and the vinyl, comes in a totally unique form and shows precisely this double-headed-ness of the band. There are many collages that remind of DADA, both on the outside and on the inside, and the listener is invited to an interactive approach to the musical object: by a mobile wheel, you can actually modify the album cover, having your say in a multiple choice as interpreters and consumer, or simply as part of the game that Catafalchi del Cyber are inviting you to play!
