It is actually not that common for bands to join forces for a musical project. Yet, two Italian bands have done just that to release a musical adaptation of a TV series on a single album. The bands in question are ExpiatoriA and Il Segno Del Comando. The former is a heavy doom band and the latter a dark prog band. Together, they have composed music that is a musical homage to the 1995 cult Italian TV miniseries Voci notturne, written by director Pupi Avati. The album was given the title of the TV series: Voci Notturne. The album blends ExpiatoriA's "liturgical" heavy doom metal with Il Segno del Comando's dark progressive rock to capture the show's esoteric and unsettling atmosphere. The project originated from an idea by Davide Ciccarelli (alias Krieg), the former vocalist of ExpiatoriA, who captured the eerie, occult atmosphere of the series through heavy metal evolutions, Latin lyrics, and progressive nuances. The recordings took place between 2023 and 2025 at Evilcation Studios under the direction of Edoardo Napoli. The production, mixing, and mastering of the album were handled by Napoli in collaboration with both bands, resulting in a thematically unified work that revives the Italian cult TV aesthetic amidst a sense of lingering mystery surrounding the original broadcast. ExpiatoriA further developed its sound following the debut, adding heavier tones after lineup changes and live activities, while Il Segno Del Comando drew from its cinematic and esoteric themes. This collaboration highlights mutual admiration and translates haunting sensations into music that embodies the identity of each group, ready for live promotion. The album was released on CD by Black Widow Records, among others, and features three contributions from the Genoa-based heavy doom band ExpiatoriA and four from Il Segno Del Comando, which together form a cohesive concept inspired by Pupi Avati's mysterious 1995 TV miniseries of the same name. The album translates the unsettling story of the miniseries—a mix of politics, religion, history, and supernatural elements such as creepy night time phone calls and an esoteric cult—into cohesive, compelling music that both bands have tailored to their style. ExpiatoriA emphasizes the challenge of evoking the dark appeal of the work, reinforced by the realistic aura of obscurity of the series due to limited distribution. Il Segno Del Comando views it as a tribute to Italian cult TV, combining their appreciation for RAI productions from the 70s with Avati's enigmatic vision. The first three tracks are by ExpiatoriA. They consist of AngeleX (vocals), Massimo Malachina (guitar), Roberto Lucanato (guitar), GB Malachina (bass) and Enrico Meloni drums. Their three doom-tinged tracks, capture the darker, more ritualistic side of the series. Monolithic riffs, liturgical atmospheres, and Latin lyrics create an oppressive and disturbing soundscape, perfectly in keeping with the tension. suspended in the television plot. Their heavy, ritualistic approach conveys the uneasiness and mystery that pervade every scene of the miniseries: not a simple soundtrack, but a sonic exploration of its most hidden depths. I definitely found it worthwhile to listen to the three songs Emily, Sublicius and La Canzone Di Lady Valover. Songs which also have sound fragments of the TV series. Although I am not really a fan of the doom metal genre, the songs really appealed to me. Especially due to the melodic twin guitar parts, great guitar solos, and sometimes the use of keyboards that give the whole thing a more progressive rock character. The final four tracks are by Il Segno Del Comando. They consist of Diego Banchero (bass), Riccardo Morello (vocals), Davide Bruzzi (guitar and keyboards), Roberto Lucanato (guitar), Beppi Menozzi (keyboards) and Paolo Serboli (drums). They interpret the concept of Voci Notturne through their dark, cinematic prog. The four tracks develop the series' narrative tension with layered keyboards, atmospheric shifts, and sophisticated arrangements. While they have previously demonstrated a sensitivity to 1970s Rai dramas, here their attention is entirely focused on Avati's concept, amplifying the mysterious and occult suggestions of the story without deviating from the main theme. The tracks Le Due Vie, Il Crittogramma, Litania Per Emily E Giacomo and Egregoro have much more to offer musically than the first three. The keyboards are used multiple times here, and the guitar solos are even more magnificent than those of the previously discussed band. The melodic quality is much higher, and at times it is a real treat; however, I certainly do not want to shortchange the other band. They really did their best to present the album as a beautiful musical whole. And that is truly what it has become: a beautiful musical whole. None of the songs sound like fillers or cast-offs. No one during the composing and recording process thought, "We'll rush through this because this isn't an album by the band itself, but a collaborative musical project that we can just get done quickly." The result is a coherent and immersive album. This album is the fruit of a two-headed conception that successfully transforms into a conceptual and sonic osmosis. ExpiatoriA's doom delves into the darkness and Il Segno Del Comando's prog builds narrative scenarios and tension. Together they recreate the ambiguous and unsettling charm of Voci Notturne. Through their music they gave the same sense of mystery and unresolved tension that made the television series a minor Italian thriller classic. The doom, dark prog, heavy metal, and heavy prog presented by the two bands is of very high quality and is certainly recommended for anyone who appreciates the combination of these musical styles. So, I can really only conclude that the experiment of having multiple bands work on a concept has definitely succeeded. Therefore, I give a thumbs up to let you know that I enjoyed listening to the seven compositions on this album. Well done, gentlemen! ***+ Henri Strik (edited by Dave Smith) Where to buy? |
