Ataraxia - Kremasta Nera (Ark Records)

Ataraxia prove once again to be the group at the leading edge of the medieval, neoclassical, spiritual and ritual scenes with their latest album Kremasta Nera, a work inspired by the mysterious rituals of the island of Samothrace dating back to times in which primordial cults had not yet given way to more traditional polytheistic, then monotheistic cults and religions. Samothrace is a Greek island, Ataraxia have a penchant for humbly exploring ancient cultures, lands and people in what they define themselves as a sort of historic pilgrimage, a homage to bygone cultures and populations. With Kremasta Nera the band moves even forward in terms of sound, offering a caressing mélange of neoclassical, ritual and tribal, using the same artistic weapons as ever, namely the delicate classic guitar virtuosism of Vittorio Vandelli, the measured synth lines of Giovanni Pagliari and Francesca Nicoli's tremendous vocals, which she is able more than ever to drive to deeps and highs of incredible emotive impact. What is relatively new, is the increased percussive content, courtesy of Riccardo Spaggiari, which gives the tribal and ritualistic touch to several tracks like the spectacular The Nine Rituals, Therma, Kaviria or Gria Vathra and a few more. Eastern atmospheres find their way into the album, increasing the mysterious aura that seems to surround each and every work of the talented Italian outfit. And even electric guitars feature subtly in this album, showing how the band are not afraid to experiment with instrumentation, despite keeping it quiet basic as usual. There are dramatic moments as in Ebur but you get back to idyllic atmospheres with stunning pieces like Fengari, a track that sums up the magic Ataraxia are able to evoke with a guitar, a fragile synth line and a muse at the vocals. Similarly for the closing track, La Fame E La Danza, a quintessential Ataraxia song, in which Francesca gives some of her best vocal interpretation to seal an album that is yet another gem in the band prolific and highly accomplished career. www.ataraxia.net - www.arkrecords.net

The darklife webzine - issue November 2007 (U.K.)