Antonius Rex
Zora

The saga of Antonius Rex is undoubtedly one of the most fascinating and obscure in the Italian prog scene of the '70s. There is an aura of mysticism – just think of the medium Franz Parthenzy – and mystery surrounding Antonio Bartocetti starting from Jacula, an undoubtedly legendary project. Their debut album Tardo Pede In Magiam Versus (1972) – preceded by the embryonic In Cauda Semper Stat Venenum (1969) – was something truly original and unprecedented for the time. The sounds were characterized by the gloomy pipe organ played by Charles Tiring (who disappeared under mysterious circumstances in 1979, while Albert Goodman, the drummer of the first Antonius Rex albums, unfortunately passed away as well) while the Latin recitations and the gothic and dreamy atmospheres made it perfect as an ideal soundtrack for a Mario Bava film. We also find the same atmospheres in Antonius Rex: in fact, their first album – “Neque Semper Arcum Tendit Rex” - was supposed to be released by the legendary Vertigo label but was rejected by the label due to its contents being considered too strong.

Thus, their debut album was “Zora” in 1977, released by the small label Tickle: it featured a beautiful comic cover also deemed “too strong” and was therefore removed from the subsequent edition. “Zora”, although somewhat disowned by Bartoccetti today, is actually a beautiful album, very acidic and occult. “Necromancer” is certainly one of the standout moments with its dark-prog piano, but the other tracks hold their own as well: the long “Spiritual Seance” with its gloomy organ is reminiscent of Jacula. Then there's the great classic “Morte al potere”, a staple for Bartoccetti and Doris Norton that appeared under the title “U.F.D.E.M.” in “Tardo Pede In Magiam Versus”. Even “Monastery” is very occult and fascinating. In the 2009 Black Widow reissue, there is also the bonus track “The Gnome” which might remind one of Goblin.

Today, Antonius Rex is still active and continues to release albums of always excellent quality, even though the charm of the '70s recordings remains, for me, unsurpassed.