Back in 2022 I reviewed Atrox Locus (see review). A weird album released by Mater A Clivis Imperat. A musical act that was created in 2008 by Samael Von Martin (Evol, Death Dies) on guitars and Natalija Brankoviç on keyboards. With the help of other musicians they decide to create a sort of soundtrack to the dark poems of Marta Telatin, poetess and fortune teller. But the project fades prematurely. A few years later Samael meets Isabella, with whom he shared the stage with his Deusdiva. Together they created a 40 minutes long debut in a musical style which is a mix of Horror rock, Psychedelic music, Occult rock, 60s and 70s prog. The second album by this Italian musical project was released one year later in 2023. The almost 80 minutes long Carmina Occulta. Twice as long as their first musical effort. Strangely enough we managed to get a review copy two years later in 2025. The music on Carmina Occulta has of course nothing to do with the famous opera Carmina Burana by Carl Orff. Even if you do hear opera kind of vocal parts on this release. The musical categories of this musical work can be labelled as Doom, Metal, Gothic, Metal, Horror Rock, Opera, Occult Rock, 60s and 70s Prog. The same kind of music you could hear on their debut Atrox Locus. Responsible for this musical mix are the musician who call themselves the Mater A Clivis Imperat Orchestra. They are: Isabella - lead vocals Samuel von Martin - male vocals, rhythm guitar, solo guitar, acoustic guitar, bass guitar, flute, lute, percussion and chains. Simòn Ferètro - lead guitar, vocals on Chori Tragici and Animi Errantes. Wally Ache - Capoless bass Elisa Montaldo (Il Tempio Delle Clessidre) - invocations, chant, Electric Japanese Koto, Chinese Hulusi, Bawu Bamboo flute and piano on the Peste 1347/2019 Vittorio Sabelli - clarinet and bass clarinet Alessio Saglia - organ, Hammond, moog, keyboards and orchestrations Ventrenero - drums Elisa Di Marte - soprano Nequam- male narrator The Nun - female choirs Natalija Brankoviç - piano on Nero Segreto (Funestum Drama), organ on Ago E filo and violins. Before we go into the music on this release, I will first tell you that the album has a cover painting once again done by Emanuele Taglietti. Once again we have to deal with a sexist cover where the violinist is adored by a group of (almost) naked ladies. The nineteen tracks on this release are most of all dominated by Church organ (Strigarum Dominus and Liturgica) and Hammond organ throughout the entire album. You can hear semi-classical interludes performed on the piano as well as cinematic Classical themes many times. But you also hear vocal parts that sound like Opera. Good examples are Carmina Occulta, Codex Diabolicus, Tragica Operetta and Strigarum Dominus. Narrative vocal parts are also used many times to tell the story of this album. However they are in Italian or Latin and therefore for me difficult to follow. Excellent guitar and synthesizer parts are coming to the surface as well. A good example is the title track and Strigarum Dominus. So for lovers of our beloved genre there is enough to enjoy. But beware it is not the usual progressive rock as heard on most releases. Therefore I can tell you that people who enjoy the music by acts such as Jacula, Goblin, Antonius Rex, Devil Doll will without any doubt love the music of Mater A Clivis Imperat as well. Although the album arrived too late on my desk, I am glad I could hear this weird and intrigued kind of music one more time. Mater A Clivis Imperat is indeed not the usual household progressive rock!!! *** Henri Strik (edited by Tracy van Os van den Abeelen) Where to buy? |
