Quite an involved concept behind this album, one that has had me remembering Latin and Greek Civilisation, which was actually studied in school (knew it might come in useful at some point). In a nutshell this album is based around Virgil’s classic poem ‘The Aeneid’ telling the story of Trojan Aeneas on his vast journey which, pretty much led to the founding of Rome. Obviously there is a hell of a lot more to it than that but as this is essentially a music review you can look into concepts further yourself if you wish. The artist Hesperia “plays the purest Metallvm Italicvm and Hesperian Metal” and was a member of cult Italic band Sulphuria. He also cuts a bizarre figure and you should certainly go and take a look at his get up as it is very interesting and intriguing and adds to both the mystique of the music and ideologies behind it. Those press shots of Rob Darken combined with an odd marauder from an old Bava sword and sandals peplum spring to mind actually.
‘Aeneidos MetalliApotheosis parte I’ originally came out in 2003 and the concept of this work is kindly reproduced in the opening pages of the CD booklet for those wanting to follow the narration. Obviously this is continued for the 7 numbers on the new CD and there is also a CD Rom part which goes into everything further. Of particular interest was the information explaining that some of the recordings were composed in the caves of S. Eustacchio in mountains looking over ancient Roman Ruins so it is as though Hesperia really went to the birth of the concept itself in order to invoke spirituality to the music.
I found myself instantly captivated by the music and it was certainly different. A heroic ‘Praeludium’ does exactly as expected (think Conan, Braveheart etc) but then on ‘Ad Hesperiam it is the incredibly rich and shimmering guitar that takes over. Drums come in booming and crashing like thunder and the orchestration gets heavier and more heroic Although sound is reminiscent of black metal, essentially there are lots of Gothic structures here as well. An almost biblical sounding part reminds of Christian Death’s The Scriptures and strange sinister vocals are heard over this before the flamboyant guitar lushly uncoils around them. Then things get chaotic with even more rabid vocals and clattering drums, it is complex to some extent but also oft to break into more simplistic structures. There is plenty going on in this number as there is over the course of the entire album even though it is only 35 minutes long. When not chaotic, the melody is enforced by the up front and razor-sharp guitar lines, which dominate this epic 12 minute number with scalpel like precision.
The combined jagged guitars, drum clatters and rasped out vocals on ‘Tragoidia Didonis’ do seem to come at you from all angles. It almost strikes that this is an untrained calamitous clash that really doesn’t work together, certainly to the untrained ear but the sheer unorthodox approach kind of works in its favour and just makes it stand out and compel more. This may be a bit too out there for everyone but it was no doubt never intended to be for mass consumption and I think that those that can get into the realm of Hesperia will find it a rewarding and intriguing proposition.
http://www.hesperianlands.tk
http://www.myspace.com/hesperiaofficial
