Released
1997
Label
Old Europa Cafe
Reviewed by
Michael C. Lund
Contact
V. le Marconi 38
33170 Pordenone
Italy
T A C
Via Verdi 6
43100 Parma
Italy
Visit
Last Edit/Update
24 March, 1999
T A C
Apotropaismo
Track
Listing
1. 30 Giorni Nel Deserto
2. The Wild Shrines Of Dawn
3. La Notte Di Pan (JDEB)
4. Al Qalb Al Asad
5. Uluru Totem
6. Dirty Star
7. Il Fuoco Diventa Scuro
8. Alvorada
9. Solidificazione
10. Dreamtime Voodoo
11. Kapitya
12. Erosioni
13. A Garden Of Self Consciousness
14. Astrons
With Apotropaismo, Italian T A C (Tomografia Assiale
Computerizzata) has created an album with the ability to completely transport the listener
to another reality or dimension. Centered around multi-
instrumentalist/vocalist Simon
Balestrazzi, a total of twelve musicians contributed to the recording of the CD --
most notably perhaps Kirlian Camera's vocalist Emilia Lo Jacono.
It is an album that displays great instrumental versatility and richness of aural detail,
resulting in arrangements that are immensely lush, and conjure up images and moods of rare
evocative power.
Most of the tracks are based in
intense ritualistic percussion, thundering against intricately woven tapestries of
colorful atmospheres, the threads of which are equal parts acoustic and electronic. The
world, which is opened up to the listener through T A C's music is
mythical, mystical and exotic; it is not rooted in any specific time or place, but
consists of elements from an incredible variety of cultures from the present to the
arcane. Momentarily the music wanders along the songlines of the Australian desert, with
the timeless droning of didjeridoo vibrating in the air like the shimmering haze of heat.
Then, the landscape changes, and as in a dream, the music now closes in upon a Mayan
temple, down through dark tunnels, and into the midst of a ritual reaching its feverish
climax, with percussion of surreal power. Later again, T A C voyages
briefly to the roof of the world -- Tibetan prayer horns and chimes bidding the travelers
welcome. The musical kaleidoscope never rests on any one scene for long, but ceaselessly
moves on, following the enthralling voice of Emilia on its flight, or simply
reaching deeper or further into the great unknown. And, indeed, the dark and unknown is
present beneath or beyond each composition; looming like a shadowy presence, a storm ready
to break, a latent force of the occult waiting to be unleashed.
Apotropaismo is T A
C's ninth album, and comes in a gorgeous A5 (5x7 inches) fold-out sleeve, with
lyrics, texts and symbols printed in silver on a background of treated photographs
depicting scenes from ceremonial dances. The CD has been released in a limited edition of
1000 by Old Europa Cafe; a label which deserves a small note of special
mention here. There is to my knowledge no label with a catalogue of releases as extensive
and impressive as this 15-year-old Italian label. Old Europa Cafe
specializes in music of the "industrial/esoteric/noise" genres -- each cassette,
CD and vinyl release is of exceptional quality, and is presented with cover art and design
that is always unique and intricate. The releases are usually limited in quantity, and may
be best obtained directly through the label's mail order department, which also stocks the
music of just about every other "underground" label and artist one can imagine.
Information on Old Europa Cafe's own releases -- as well as their
extensive mail order catalogue and order instructions -- can be found at the label's
recently established web site.
