Oltre l’Abisso “Opera Rock” published the complete album (out on February 1, 2023 via Wanikiya Record) on their official YouTube channel. Stream the whole album through the player below:
The entire concept is set during the harvest festival, Lughnasadh. In the first act, one gets to know the head clan leader Bethel, her companion Makena and the very sweet Luned. This clan, whose faith wavers, willingly indulges in intoxicating drinks, drawing the listener into a festive mood that is soon overshadowed by the call of a forgotten prophecy. It is Luned, the couple’s faithful friend, who knows as much about the prophecy as the gods and attempts to save her friend and sustain her relationship with Makena, whom she loves.
The second act has a much darker atmosphere: the Capoclan goes in search of a famous Druid, Vessagh, so that he can explain to her the transcendent experience she has undergone; he is overbearing and rejects her as unfaithful. Only while celebrating the great fire ritual does the Druid notice new energies in the air, and become curious about the woman he has imprisoned in his tent. In an atmosphere of mutual mistrust and fear, fascination and attraction between the two will make its way: they will reject these feelings until, having arrived in front of a mythical precipice from which only the Demigods had thrown themselves, remaining unharmed, they understand that the call of the Gods concerns them both and invites them to cross the threshold of the Unknown. In a moving monologue, Vessagh reflects on a life of renunciation and devotion, supported by Bethel’s ethereal vocals that incite him to reach the glory that is only a step away.
They will make the ritual leap by obtaining immortality: for him it will be the desired public consecration as a Semidius, but also the unhoped-for chance to be a father. Ready to renounce the former, he will invite the Capoclan to raise his divine son together, but she will refuse, remaining loyal to her Clan and returning to her companion Makena, allowing Vessagh to be remembered forever. The voices of the gods, omnipresent in the choruses of the second year, suggest that their love is not destined to end that night: in fact, it is only the first chapter of the entire novel. Bethel and Vessagh, finding themselves searching for themselves, will continue on the path that has already transformed them indelibly. This is what we hope will also happen to the listener, suspended between introspection and responsibility, fairy tale and reality, in a spiral of myth and mystery.
The Rock Opera is in Italian and played completely live, in both acoustic (with piano and partial or full band) and electric (with a Rock band) versions. The three characters are characterised by three different vocalities (lyric, Rock and Soul), approaching numerous musical genres (Folk, Pop, Blues, Soul, Rock, Metal, Classical, Psychedelic, Soundtrack) that flow smoothly together and are summarised by the Prog Rock sound.
Purchase the album here: https://www.crashsound.com/prodotto/oltre-labisso-opera-rock/
Tracklist:
Disc 1
- Overture (4:45)
- Oltre L’Abisso (4:11)
- Makena (4:52)
- Sei Troppo Bello (3:50)
- Il Banchetto (4:46)
- Lasciati Risplendere (5:04)
- Inno A Lugh (5:59)
- Festa E Danze (3:20)
- Visione (4:01)
- La Profezia (2:36)
- Verso L’Ignoto (4:44)
- L’Incanto Dell’Incontro (4:28)
- Un Fatale Scontro (3:19)
- Luce Sacra (4:37)
- Rituale Del Fuoco (5:02)
Disc 2
- Un Sospiro Sospeso (3:48)
- Il Cammino Illuminante (4:59)
- Parlando Agli Idei (5:19)
- Di Fronte A Me (2:43)
- L’Abisso (4:03)
- Rinascita (2:18)
- Solitudine (5:57)
- Addio (5:15)
- Epilogo (3:18)
Lineup:
Perry Magnani / Keyboards
Lorenzo Zagni / Guitar
Maurizio Melotti / Guitar
Riccardo Bighi / Bass
Marco Pozzi / Drums
Elisabetta Tagliati / Vocals as Bethel (Acqua)
Marcello Monti / Vocals as Vessagh (Fuoco)
Sofia Mazza / Vocals as Luned (Aria)
Andrea Dondi / audio & light technician
Davide Maccaferri – mixing & master