Dark Wing Gospel is the second album from Amsterdam-based Italian composer Carlo M. Dini, who presents an elaborate collection of six “spellbinding compositions” that delve deep into the crevasse of symphonic, progressive metal, adding power metal elements among rich and tapestry of layered aural arrangements.
Written and produced entirely by Carlo, Dark Wing Gospel was recorded with Michiel van der Plicht (Pestilence, God Dethroned, Carach Angren), Ludovico Cioffi (Delain, Modern Age Slavery, Nightland) amongst other guests.
The album showcases all that Dini has learned since starting his film scoring company in Amsterdam and is said to feature a unique taste in blending heavy guitar riffs, elaborate orchestral arrangements, dramatic symphonic choruses and unique harmonies, all driven by horror-themed lyrics, about an alchemist turned serial killer.
It was written “backwards” when it comes of the typical arrangement process: Dini wrote all the orchestral and voice lines first, his original intention being to release the record with just those two elements. The metal band was arranged on top of the existing orchestra in all of the songs. Dark Wing Gospel was re-amped by Stefano Morabito (Fleshgod Apocalypse, Hideous Divinity) and mixed and mastered by Simone Mularoni (Rhapsody, Vision Divine, Michael Romeo).
The sound is defined by its masterful use of orchestral arrangements, with lead singer Davide Penna blending clean vocals with Ludovico Cioffi’s powerful growls, massive sounding string sections, a fifteen person choir, and cinematic soundscapes prominently featured. Each track takes the listener on a journey through dark, introspective themes, exploring topics such as madness, art and alchemical symbolisms.
Carlo M. Dini studied music on his own during his university years, switching his focus from classical to electric guitar, eventually focusing more and more on harmony and composition. He started Black Yet Full of Stars in Italy, and wrote the first release under the name Black Yet Full of Stars between 2010 and 2014, during the same years in which he had started studying orchestration.
The first release (self-titled, Rockshots Records, 2016) featured a much more trash and heavy metal influence. When Dini moved to Amsterdam to complete his university studies and made of his orchestral music “hobby” his daily job, he also turned Black yet Full of Stars into his metal playground, and decided to experiment – within the metal music context – how the orchestra can be featured together with the band, changing line-up and finding new guests for his records every time.
With influences ranging from Nightwish to Peter Gabriel, Carlo M. Dini has created a sound that is both personal and epic in scale, and aims to make of Black yet Full of Stars a unique orchestral metal project.
Tracks featured on the album are: ‘Halom Shacor’, ‘The Great Work’, ‘Nigredo, Foulest Servant’, ‘Albedo, Ancient Heart’, ‘Rubbed, The Artist’ and ‘King Of Salt’.
Dark Wing Gospel is out now, as is the ‘Nigredo, Foulest Servant’ that you can check out the video for here at RAMzine.
