Uploaded October 2023 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago

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First album released by italian Dark Prog Rock project Mater A Clivis Imperat and released under the prestigious Black Widow Records.
This is another of those times in which I make an exception from my usual Post-Punk and Gothic uploads. In the course of my publications I have already made some one (Héroes Del Silencio, Black Widow, Mayhem) for other musical genres that I like, but this time it's a very particular exception: a really dark, gloomy musical project sung in latin, with superb violins and masterful production care.

Tracklist:
00:00 Coemeterium
03:04 1974 (Sorgi O Creatura)
07:23 Atrox Locus
11:45 Padova Occulta (Nero Barocco)
15:43 Atrox Poena In Corde Suo Est
19:01 Homo Intime Pauper Est
24:33 Witchcraft
27:28 Dominae Oculi
30:36 Oblivium
33:46 Meretrix Pacis Orba
34:44 Idola Tribus
37:20 Vagaris
39:48 Coemeterium (Alternate Version)

Born in 2008 by Samael von Martin (Evol, Death Dies) on guitars and Natalija Branko on keyboards, the group has pursued a musical and philosophical path that has led it towards a dark musical aesthetic that certainly has a lot in common with tradition italian music and cinema of the 70s. Initially they wanted to make a soundtrack of the poems of Marta Telatin, poet and fortune teller but then the idea didn't come to fruition. After meeting Isabella (member of the paduan Punk Rock band Deusdiva) Samael brings the intentions of Mater A Clivis Imperat into greater focus, also involving Alessio Saglia, a talented keyboardist and Elisa Di Marte, a well-known soprano. In meantime, his interest in esotericism was deepened through the reading of "Racconti Del Filò" (tales of mystery and esotericism of the Euganean Hills) and the local occult world of Veneto with its abandoned villas (particularly in Padua). The musical cultural background is instead that typical of the period of early 70s Hard Rock bands such as Uriah Heep and Black Sabbath but, as emerges in their debut album Atrox Locus, the influence of the occult Prog band Jacula, Devil Doll and Fabio Frizzi's soundtracks. The choice to sing in latin give rise to comparisons with Jacula. It is a record that should be enjoyed and savored calmly while perhaps reading a book on magic, the stories written by Edgar Allan Poe or Lovecraft. Through listening we get closer to a preternatural dimension. I must say that the operatic soprano voice of Elisa Di Marte, the Gregorian chants, the sound of a ghostly piano and a genuinely esoteric attitude give this work a unique atmosphere. More calm moments (the initial "Coemeterium", with a beautiful organ in evidence with the songs of werewolves in the background, "Padova Occulta", "Homo Intimae Pauper") alternate with more excited ones as in "Witchcraft" (a track that seems to come from Zora by Antonius Rex) and in "Atrox Locus", enriched by Gregorian chants. While listening, constant inspiration and a sincere passion for certain themes shine through.
In the end I can say that this is a beautiful album that sounds both modern and strongly influenced by 70s. Very atmospheric and with exceptional sound production.

Lineup:
Isabella: lead vocals, choir
Samael von Martin: choir, guitars, bass, keyboards
Alessio Saglia: organ, keyboards
Natalja Branco: piano
Elisa Di Marte: soprano vocals
Tomas Contarato: drums

Other credits:
Pino Pintabona: layout
Maira Pedroni: graphic design
Enzo Sciotti: painting, artwork by
Antonio Maria Franzolin: photography by
Eugenio Vatta: sound designer
Leonora Signifredi: translated by

#MaterAClivisImperat#DarkProg#Italy