Italian neoclassical and darkwave veterans Ataraxia has released a new single and video entitled ‘Ignis Pater‘ taken from their 29th studio album Centaurea, out now via The Circle Music, it is about the element of fire.
The band said: “Fire represents knowledge, ardour, will, passion, the spirit that vivifies everything. This song emanates the colours of fire always in movement. We perceive its ability to create and destroy, to heat and burn, to blind or bring inspiration. In Chinese medicine (and not only), fire represents the heart organ at the centre of the chest also in a metaphysical sense, it represents courage which is the action mediated by the intelligence of the heart.
“In the lyrics, the element of water is invited to union. The two elements marry in an alchemical marriage that produces wisdom and life. We soar between deeper singing and choral voices accompanying this alchemy.”
You can check out the video to ‘Ignis Pater‘ here at RAMzine.
Centaurea is the 29th album from Ataraxia and is part of a trilogy that began with the previous album Pomegranate, a hymn to the elemental spirits, and which will end with a work inspired by the Elysian Fields passing through the golden age brought to light by Centaurea.
The lyrics of the songs, sung in several ancient and modern languages, are taken from poems by Francesca Nicoli and Mara Paltrinieri who had already collaborated on the lyrics of the band’s first albums. Once again Totem Bara will contribute to Ataraxia’s sound with his cello on three songs.
Each album format will have a different layout done by Nicolas Ramain. And as such, each have their own imaginative history, therefore, the vinyl artbook contained in the limited box and the CD graphics are unique, original and not the same. Insetti Xilografi designed the sacred oak represented on the box and on the hoodie and Mary Vareli created the hieratic priestess present on the T-shirt. The album will be preceded by three singles with three related videos portraying places and rituals of Centaurea. The entire work is a kaleidoscope of varied beauty in which the arts blend and accompany us.
Previously they released ‘Coelestis’ as a single and video. ‘Coelestis’ is said to be an awakening to new life, a symbolic shedding of blindness and a connection forged through dance. The video takes viewers on a journey to the island of Centaurea, where priestesses dance with the wind in their hair, their movements mirroring the harmonious grace of swimmers on a lake. White birds flutter like flames, and sunlight bathes the scene in an aura of serenity. Finally, a soul is freed, running barefoot towards a sacred wood and swimming amongst water lilies, a lotus flower blossoming with expanded consciousness.
“‘Coelestis’ is written in the lines of the hand, a journey taking us far away in the presence of the primaeval sun,” said the band. You can stream the single here and check out the video here at RAMzine.
Before that, the band released ‘Viriditas’ as a single. Ataraxia explained the meaning behind that song: “’Viriditas’ is a Latin word much loved by Hildegard Von Bingen. The semantic root of the term refers to viridis – green from which vis – strength derives, then vir – man, virgo – maiden, ver – springtime, virtus – value, vita – vital principle. They are all words referring to an energetic principle that is inherent in nature and is transmitted to humanity. The symbolism also refers to spiritual vigour as a green mantle wet with fruitful rain.
“The video is a tribute to México and Latin American friends and listeners that, along our musical journey, hosted us with warmth, affection and enthusiasm. The video is also dedicated to the mastery of Vittorio Vandelli who, every time he picks up his classical guitar, channels and brings us sublime melodies.”
You can also listen to ‘Viriditas’ via digital platforms here and check out the video here at RAMzine. It followed previous release ‘Galen’, with Ataraxia explaining the meaning behind that song thus: “Galen is a forest surrounding a sacred site where a druidess and some druids still operate thanks to their connection to the soul of the trees and animals living here. In this and other sites, ritual magic is practised to protect Centaurea, an uncontaminated island that is still experiencing its golden age. This place is also our soul/in our soul, a subtle part of us. Where our body goes our soul goes, where our soul is our body is. Earth, mud, ponds, high clouds, fury and beauty, grass and stars groove our skin in a nocturnal embrace as blue as underwater bluebells. This song, sinuous, hypnotic and mysterious, is a fragment of precious stone reflecting light and shadow.”
Francesca Nicoli of Ataraxia explained the background behind the album: “On a Greek island of impressive neoclassical beauty, I lived and wrote the concept of the new Ataraxia album Centaurea. Centaurea is an island beyond the columns of time, still immersed in a golden age, it is a new Mediterranean Avalon whose name is a hundred times brighter than gold and that can only be accessed by dreaming and from which one leaves just sleeping.
“Crossing the dimensional waters that lead to this magical circle, always immersed in the gold of the light of twilight and the flaming magenta of the dawn, we reach a dimension in which the principles of the sacred feminine and masculine are embodied by heroes and maidens, priestesses and bards. The qualities of courage, audacity, hospitality, trust, grace, intense spiritual values and the earthly representation of beauty become flesh and accompany us while listening to the songs.
“We participate in nocturnal rituals, dances at dawn, races across prairies and woads, flights overlooking the sea, celebrations of the primeval Sun, we meet wolves and goddesses, we speak lunar alphabets, we cross woods of wild loves, enchanted bays where sweet scents are released, we sail wild blues and listen to the myths of the oak. The beings who animate these places live destinies on a strand of splendour.”
The album will contain eight original compositions, with the CD version featuring two previously unreleased bonus tracks. One of those bonus tracks is ‘The Source’ and you can check out the music video to it here at RAMzine.
The track features uilleann pipes played by Gregorio Bellodi, with the band explaining the meaning behind the lyrics and the music video thus: “’The Source’ is the origin from which everything flows, the focal point of the island of Centaurea, the energetic centre of that dimension. That place can only be accessed through a dimensional portal protected by three guardians of the threshold, three Priestesses who sway among the ice and snow-covered plants, looking into your eyes to understand if you are ready. ‘Viator – inquam – dignabere?’ ‘Traveler – I say – are you worthy?’. Beyond the ice and snow, opens up the space of the sea in which everything turns purple and gold, dawn and dusk and the Mediterranean climate welcomes us, taking us on a white boat, in silence, to the sacred shores. As we access the dimensional spiral of the portal, the three Goddesses look at us with ineffable faces.”
You can order Centaurea here.
