Il segno del comando
L'Incanto dello Zero

Cristian Raimondi is truly an unconventional character: I didn't know anything about him until I stumbled upon the new album by Il Segno del Comando titled “L’Incanto dello Zero”. Il Segno del Comando is now a cult group: its leader, bassist Diego Banchero – throughout his career – has embarked on a philosophical and esoteric journey that led him to be particularly interested in the works of the great Gustav Meyrink. To the Austrian writer, he has dedicated two albums, namely “Der Golem”, derived from the masterpiece novel of the same name, and “Il Volto Verde”. Evidently, Banchero has found in Raimondi's work some occult and mystical meanings with which he felt an affinity. Intrigued, I researched the character: apart from an interview online, there's only his Facebook page where Raimondi writes what he defines as “his ravings”. He does not consider himself a writer but says he writes under the dictation of an inner Voice that could be God. Raimondi's novel is called “Lo Zero Incantatore” and you can request it from the author or from Diego Banchero himself. Musically speaking, I must say that the new album by Il Segno del Comando seems better assembled compared to recent works: perhaps the fact of finally having a stable group has contributed to the success of a piece in which, alongside the usual Goblin and Balletto di Bronzo, we can also hear “heavy” influences from Black Sabbath and Blue Oyster Cult. The voice of the new singer Riccardo Morello is very powerful and expressive and the sound, overall, is very evocative. I can safely say that, along with the debut, this “L’Incanto dello Zero” is the best album by Il Segno del Comando. You can read Cristian Raimondi's ravings on his Facebook page at this link: https://www.facebook.com/huor.veneanar.