This is my instrumental, metal, aural "depiction" of an epic poetic work.

I only ask for reasonable money this time for the months of "extra-curricular" effort I've put in and because I'd like to think the album is honouring something much greater, starting with the publication date of 8th June, which is when Dante's beloved Beatrice died, 730 years ago.

Thank you and please leave comments if you wish!


Sometime in 2018 I decided to read 'Inferno' from the formidable and eternal Dante Alighieri's 'Divine Comedy' (it isn't humorous though lol) and then, as honestly as I am able, instrumentally portray or "narrate" a mixture of the events described, scenes recounted and emotions I imagined, through my favourite genre of music.

I went through the cantos/chapters - reading and re-reading from three different translations - taking notes and researching back-stories, references (of which there are maaany e.g.*) and artworks to give me the best understanding that my non-academic brain can grasp for the most informed approach.

I am about half way through reading, with nearly half that of written music and around half of that actually recorded but I thought Canto VIII; just before Dante and Virgil enter the City of Dis and lower hell, was a good place to end one of potentially four. more. albums... :/

I hope I have, so far, done it the justice I intended.
Enjoy \m/



*in Canto VIII I wrote a part using the fact that the melting point and density at liquid of silver can be understood to be multiples of three, because the part was "narrating" Dante talking to Filippo 'Argenti' - silver's periodic symbol is Ag from the Latin 'argentum' - so nicknamed for adorning his horse with silver and probably his silver hair, too.

•••

Some coincidences I noticed:

- 2020 is exactly 700 years after the completion of Divine Comedy;
- According to Psalm 90:10, Moses says 70 (one tenth - Commandments? lol) are the years man will live;
- At the age of 35 is when Dante wrote he started his quest - "...midway on our path in life" - (album released midway through the year);
- One tenth (again) of both numbers gives 7 (Deadly Sins?) and 3.5, which just so happens to be a fair and evidently, destined price for the album ;)


Cool facts:

Centuries ago 'left' - 'sinistra' (sinister?) in Italian - was considered evil (and female.) While 'right' - 'destra', presumably from Latin 'dexter' (dexterous) - was considered good (and male.)

In the poem, its author, Dante (D) is escorted by the spirit of another ancient poet, Virgil (V) therefore:

I mixed the left guitar to sound fuller and more apparent/"alive" like Dante (more mids and subtle on the reverb/room bus) and the right guitar - because D is being lead or shown the "right" way through his quest - to sound distant and cold/"dead" like Virgil (massive scoop, different pre-amp for less punchy but "flabby" low-end and drenched in 'verbs).
I have also tried, as keeping-it-musical-y possible, to show when either poet - or any significant character - does/says something individual. My success in this is yet to be seen lol.

Sorry for the essay, I hope my tunes melt your fkn face :)