Paolo Catena, known as Paul Chain, is an Italian musician and founder of the early incarnation of Death SS (1977). He has a prolific solo career spanning doom, psychedelic, space-rock and experimental improvisation, frequently releasing and self-producing albums and using multiple pseudonyms.

Founder (with Steve Sylvester) of Death SS in 1977; leader of the Violet Theatre project; frequent use of improvisation and invented phonetic lyrics; collaborations include Lee Dorrian (guest vocals on Alkahest); influences and affinities mentioned in reviews include Klaus Schulze, Amon Düül II and 1970s Italian prog. Several works reissued by the Minotauro label.

DeBaser's reviews present Paul Chain (Paolo Catena) as a prolific, cult Italian artist and founder of Death SS. His solo work spans doom, psychedelic, space-rock and experimental improvisation. Alkahest and Violet Art of Improvisation are repeatedly highlighted as key records. The coverage is largely laudatory and emphasizes improvisation and stylistic evolution.

For:Fans of doom, psychedelic and experimental rock; collectors and followers of the Italian underground music scene.

 "Alkahest", released in 1995, is also the most renowned work of his solo career, especially for the presence behind the microphone of the vitriolic vocals of Lee Dorrian, the formidable voice of the English doomsters Cathedral, who have always been fervent admirers of the National Paolone, a figure of undeniable weight in the economy of the entire post-Sabbathian doom-metal movement.

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 Lee Dorrian defines him as one of the fathers of Doom. Is that not enough for you?

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 Violet Art Of Improvisation is a record of great music beyond possible classifications (psychedelia? experimentation? doom? gothic-rock?).

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