ballo delle castagne
Surpassing all other Kings

THE REVIEW

Surpassing all other Kings is the second album by Ballo delle Castagne – a real cult group – and it concludes the trilogy that began with the 10” titled "108" and the subsequent excellent Kalachakra. This work is centered around the mythological figure of Gilgamesh, the legendary king of the Sumerians and protagonist of humanity's first epic poem known as the Epic of Gilgamesh. It’s an ambitious "concept" that connects to the best tradition of prog, a real journey into myth with all its powerful symbolism where Gilgamesh awakens after many centuries to discover the fate of man.

Musically, Surpassing all other Kings maintains the prog matrix of the previous album, incorporating numerous influences – including Krautrock, psychedelia, and new wave – and is characterized by a dark and gloomy approach that makes the group's offering extremely original. As guests, all members of Egida Aurea, including Carolina Cecchinato on vocals, are present. The first track, "Tema di Gilgamesh," is irresistible in its dark, relentless rhythm and evokes mythical times, transporting the listener to another temporal dimension. Also notable is “Il viaggio,” with guest Carmen D'Onofrio on vocals, a track that revives the glorious sound of Italian prog groups like the legendary Biglietto per l'Inferno. In “Rorate Coeli,” the protagonist is the Moog played by Vinz Aquarian, whose space sounds immerse us in an extra-temporal cosmic journey through dark galaxies: a track where the influence of Krautrock and the Cosmic Couriers is evident. "Konigin der Nacht" is characterized by the piano played by Davide Bruzzi and the voice of Vinz Aquarian, who frantically declaims in German. "Il segreto," dominated by effective percussion, has a psychedelic “feeling” as does the following "Aquarius Age," a space-rock that continues the lysergic trip. "Fire in the Sky" is gritty and revives from the mists of time the ghost of Black Widow. The album closes with a tribute to the great H.P. Lovecraft, quoting the famous couplet from the Necronomicon ("that is not dead which can eternal lie, and with strange Aeons even death may die") recited by multiple voices along with the esoteric march "Apocriphon of Gilgamesh."

With "Surpassing all other Kings," Ballo delle Castagne confirms its worth, establishing itself as one of the most interesting realities of current Italian prog.