Clarinets with black metal – that’s what we have here. It’s not only clarinets but a host of other instruments including the bagpipes, a violin, trombone, euphonium, darbuka and something called a mandoloncello. The individual behind this is a classical and jazz musician who has turned his creativity, with the support of other classical musicians, a vocalist and a choir, to atmospheric black metal. Dawn of a Dark Age, which is the name of the project, released a five-part saga called “The Six Elements” between 2014 and 2017, and another album “La Tavola Osca” in 2020. The Caudine Forks, to which this album gives its name, refers to a Roman surrender in 321 BC.
This two-act work starts with the sound of marching, a sombre backing and a folk acoustic section, before building up in power and intensity. The clarinet plays an engaging tune, followed by the violin. So far it is folk-orientated but now, 7 minutes in, the mood becomes darker, the music harsher and fiery growls emerge. The artist narrates in his native Italian and continues dramatically as a bagpipe-infused black metal tune strikes up. It’s an effective mix and an imperious and epic piece which rises in tempo to an impressively frenetic climax, and a return to the sombre tone of what I imagine to be the mandoloncello and the bagpipes, accompanied by the narration and the distant sound of the crowd. The piece ends with a jazzy piano piece and flamboyant clarinet which takes over from an acoustic-electric section. Dark as it is in parts, act I is a bright and refreshing piece of music.
Act II starts from the depths with ferocious growls, but is uplifted by the clarinet before heading into an accomplished technical metal section. This piece is noteworthy for its pomp, as well as the blend of sounds including traditional metal instruments, bagpipes and the clarinet. In some ways this is like a war song, with a rousing chorus and epic intensity followed by reflection and the spoken word. Then it is as we’re transported away to North Africa or the Middle East. Theatrically the mood darkens, and where before the clarinet provided optimism, it now sounds tragedy. The euphonium reinforces this. A choral hymn is sung but one can only have the impression that it is in respect of death. The air is unusually calm. Dark clouds reform and heavy drum work strike an atmosphere of foreboding. The pipes play and the clarinet leads the way with a chirpy tune. This transforms into a stormy melodic black metal atmosphere. In some ways it’s an equivalent of Thy Catafalque, and has a similar aura to the neofolk / atmospheric black metal of October Falls or Moonsorrow. But here the setting is the battlefield and we’re reminded of this as our heroes march and chant to bring this colourful and epic work to a close.
With the blend of instruments, “Le Forche Caudine” is an unusual work, but it’s skilfully crafted into pieces which merge into one another and progress the story in an intriguing and transformative way. I enjoyed it. All credit is due to the artist Vittorio Sabelli and the other highly skilled musicians involved.
(8/10 Andrew Doherty)
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