Hystero Demonopathy (Black Widow Records BWR 153-2, 2012)
Italian progressive rock and horror movie soundtracks have had strong connection since the 1970s when Goblin started making film scores for Dario D’Argento’s films. On Hystero Demonopathy, Italian band Antonius Rex takes you to the world of demonic hysteria with a concept album that illustrates a woman tormented and possessed by demons. It’s symphonic progressive rock with a very unsettling edge, with eerie otherworldly voices, magnificent choirs, and a wide range of keyboards that provide an ominous sensation.
Guitar player Antonio Bartoccetti leads the band and treats the listener to a generous collection of memorable guitar solos and shredding. Occasionally he regresses into brutal metal riffs (like on track 3, ‘Are Mine’), but thankfully the heavy guitar parts do not overwhelm most of the pieces. His son Anthony Bartoccetti, better known artistically as Rexanthony, is the keyboardist featured who provides the outstanding piano, Baroque organ and synths.
The album line up features composer Antonio Bartoccetti on Guitars, Vocals, Bass; keyboardist Rexanthony on vocals, keyboards, synthesizers, piano, digital drum, digital orchestra; and Monika Tasnad described as Medium. Guests include Florian Gorman on Acoustic Drums (Gretch); Laura Haslam on vocals, Vladimir Leonard on vocals, and Svetlana Serduchka on vocals.
Hystero Demonopathy will appeal to fans of dark progressive rock as well as horror movie soundtrack aficionados.