Deca
Lucifero Alchemico

THE REVIEW

There are niche musicians who are known by a small group of enthusiasts and who, despite this, have a significant influence and are a point of reference for many aficionados of exploratory sounds. One of these names is undoubtedly Federico De Caroli , known as Deca, born in Savona in 1964 and established himself as a composer of ambient and electronic music. He has always maintained a low profile but, over time, has acquired a "cult" status, so much so that some of his records are highly valued in the collector's market. Now, after a piano album like Isole Invisibili (2017 - Platform Music) and several collaborations with television and film, Deca releases a new album in the vein of Simbionte from 2003, considered by critics and Piero Scaruffi as one of the most significant ambient albums of all time. The new album, titled Lucifero Alchemico, is a sort of esoteric concept focused mainly on the theme of alchemy and is divided into 4 tracks (each lasting 11 minutes) that each represent a path towards the Initiatic Way. Musically, Deca returns instead to uncompromising electronic experimentation. The first track "Vorago Deboniana" is cosmic and dark and reminded me of the more abstract moments of early Tangerine Dream with atmospheres that become increasingly dark, surreal, and hypnotic while the ending is enigmatic with disturbing voices that seem to come from another dimension, spreading the veil of sleep over the listener. In the subsequent "Solve Reticruent," the settings are more serene and closer to ambient, then the music becomes minimal (with background noises that are difficult to decipher) and finally reconnects to the initial "mood." "Phosphorea Feromurd" is conceptually the most significant and esoteric moment of the entire work and is based on the alchemical element of phosphorus while the music is a meditative soundscape. The piano intro of the concluding track "Traccia alchemica" is worthy of the soundtrack of a horror film (perhaps with Fulcanelli as a character) then the sounds become close to an oppressive dark-ambient while the dreamlike finale is worthy of Phaedra by Tangerine Dream. The sounds of Lucifero Alchemico are extremely layered and use various sound sources utilizing both digital and analog technology. The union of exploratory music and esotericism gives Lucifero Alchemico a dark and timeless charm that already makes it a record to be jealously collected. It is a listening experience that requires the right approach (as is the case with much of the more atmospheric electronic music) preferably with the aid of headphones.