Goblin Rebirth, self-titled debut album, released in 2015.
The history of Goblin is a real labyrinth in the world of Italian progressive music, full of line-up changes. Let's start from the origins, between 1972 and 1978.
Claudio Simonetti and Massimo Morante, the two founders, began to play together in London under the name of Oliver. Back in Italy, they joined Fabio Pignatelli and Walter Martino, signed a contract with Cinevox and became Goblin. It is here that their collaboration with Dario Argento begins, which brings them to the world stage with the soundtrack of "Profondo Rosso" in 1975.
During the recordings, Agostino Marangolo takes the place of Walter Martino on drums. Other masterpieces followed such as "Suspiria" in 1977 and "Zombi" in 1978. In 1976, Goblin released "Roller", one of the few albums not linked to a soundtrack, which became a real reference point for instrumental progressive rock.
Then, between 1979 and 2009, a period of great instability began. The line-up changed often, and despite successful soundtracks such as "Tenebre" in 1982, the group split, with members embarking on solo careers or working as backing musicians. However, there are some brief returns: in 2000 they reunite for the film "Non ho sonno" by Dario Argento, but the internal quarrels immediately lead to a new dissolution. Another reunion took place in 2005 under the name of "Back to the Goblin", but this time without Simonetti.
Finally, from 2010 to today, the Goblin Rebirth project was born. Fabio Pignatelli and Agostino Marangolo, the historic rhythm section, decide to carry on the original sound of Goblin, but with a new line-up. The goal is twofold: to recover the "lost" sound of the 80s and to play live the soundtracks considered "minor" but loved by fans. After years of concerts (documented in the album "Alive"), in 2015 Goblin Rebirth released their first album of unreleased songs, self-titled, for Relapse Records. A concept album inspired by an imaginary horror film.
The history of this album is closely linked to a concert that, although it took place before the release of the album in the studio, then led, a year later, to the release of a live album. Basically, the 2015 studio album and 2016's "Alive" are two sides of the same coin: one with unreleased tracks and the other celebrating the band's glorious past.
"Goblin Rebirth" (2015) is an album of new and original songs, while "Alive" (2016) is a live album that focuses almost exclusively on the big hits and some rare "gems" of the original Goblin soundtracks. Although it came out later, "Alive" was recorded before the studio album. The tracks come from a super concert at the Crossroads in Rome, on April 22, 2011.
Both albums feature the same stable line-up and both projects serve to define the identity of Goblin Rebirth: on the one hand the creative evolution with the studio album, on the other the claim of the historical legacy with the live.
Fabio Pignatelli, founding member of the original Goblin, is in charge of bass, keyboards and programming. Agostino Marangolo, historic drummer of Goblin who joined the group in 1975 for the soundtrack of "Profondo Rosso", plays drums and percussion. Giacomo Anselmi contributes with electric and acoustic guitars, as well as the bouzouki. Aidan Zammit takes care of keyboards, samples and vocoders, while Danilo Cherni dedicates himself to keyboards and programming. The album also features some musicians: Dorraine Zammit Lupi lends her voice to the song "Requiem For X", Roberta Lombardini sings in "Forest", Francesco Marini plays the cello in "Dark Bolero" and Arnaldo Vacca adds percussion to "Dark Bolero" and "Rebirth".
The album is a musical journey that takes you through the birth, destruction and rebirth of a monstrous creature. This is the beating heart of the album, which unfolds in eight tracks full of atmosphere.
It starts with "Requiem For X", a funeral ode that introduces us to the story of Mr. X, our protagonist. From here, we enter a surreal and disturbing world. In "Evil In The Machine", Mr. X finds himself trapped in a video game created by humans, where he meets a mysterious female goblin. The journey continues in "Forest", a distorted garden of Eden that leaves us with a sense of bewilderment and restlessness.
But the story does not end there. The final track, "Rebirth", marks Mr. X's awakening into a new spiritual dimension, a new beginning that closes the circle and leaves us with a sense of hope and rebirth.
In addition to the horror storyline, the album also has a deeper meaning. The band explained that the destruction and rebirth of the creature is a metaphor for their own history. Fabio Pignatelli and Agostino Marangolo founded this project in 2010 to evolve the original sound of Goblin and explore new paths after the various splits of the historic group.
Mine is the Relapse Records edition (RR7307) characterized by a crystalline production that highlights the contrast between dark symphonism and rock power.
"Requiem For X" is a solemn and ghostly opening, a modern funeral march that immediately catapults you into the "horror" atmosphere of the album. The keyboards of Cherni and Zammit create a carpet on which the voice of Dorraine Zammit Lupi, special guest, rests ethereally. And then, Pignatelli's bass enters with a deep and threatening tone, like a roar that announces the beginning of a dark journey.
"Back In '74" is a clear homage to the sound of Cherry Five and the first Roller, this track is an explosive mix of technical funky-prog. Agostino Marangolo dictates the rhythm with a precise groove, typical of the Goblins of the golden years. His rhythmic understanding with Pignatelli has remained intact after forty years! It is as if time has stopped.
"Book Of Skulls" is a complex piece that mixes classic prog-rock with almost ambient moments, creating an atmosphere of tension and mystery. Giacomo Anselmi here shines like a star, passing from delicate arpeggios to granite riffs. The song is a journey through tempo changes that keep you in suspense.
"Mysterium" is an atmospheric track, perfect for a suspense scene in a movie. Aidan Zammit's work on the samples and synthesizers is fundamental: it creates a sense of mystery and urgency that is supported by the constant and hypnotic beat of Pignatelli's bass. Close your eyes and let yourself be carried away.
"Evil In The Machine" is the most aggressive song on the album. Here Anselmi's Hard Rock influence is evident, and Zammit's use of the vocoder adds a sci-fi and disturbing touch. It is the most innovative song, an explosion of energy that leaves no escape.
"Forest" is a dark and pastoral ballad, at times dreamlike, which offers a moment of psychedelic breath in the midst of darkness. Roberta Lombardini's voice adds a dreamy texture, while Marangolo's drumming becomes lighter and jazzier, demonstrating her incredible versatility as a percussionist. A moment of peace and reflection.
"Dark Bolero" as the name suggests, is a dark variation on the bolero's structure, with a steady crescendo that keeps you on the edge of your seat. Francesco Marini's cello weighs down the atmosphere making it gothic, while Arnaldo Vacca's percussion builds the rhythmic intensity until the final explosion. An intense and engaging experience.
"Rebirth" is the epic suite that sums up all the elements of the record: melody, technique and darkness. It is the triumph of the collective, a journey through the different souls of the group. Danilo Cherni leads the main theme with towering synthesizers, while Pignatelli closes the album with basslines that remind us why he is considered a master of the genre. A great ending.
The album is a mix of tradition and modernity, a real journey through time that takes the best of the Italian prog of the 70s and projects it into the future. Intricate rhythms, odd time signatures and synthesizers that paint dense and mysterious atmospheres, just like in the masterpieces of the past. But that's not all: the album also has a cinematic soul, a horror/thriller imprint that creates tension and anxiety, a bit like the soundtracks of Dario Argento's films. And then, there is the modern push, the influence of genres such as Hard Rock and Heavy Metal, thanks to Giacomo Anselmi's guitar. A contemporary touch that mixes with electronics and vocoder, creating an almost sci-fi atmosphere. In short, an instrumental album (with some ethereal vocalizations here and there) that combines Dark Progressive with the power of modern rock, always maintaining a dark and theatrical soul. An unmissable experience for lovers of the genre!
My Version
Label: Relapse Records – RR7307
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Release date: Jun 30, 2015
Tracklist
A1 Requiem For X
A2 Back In 74
A3 Book Of Skulls
A4 Forest
B5 Evil In The Machine
B6 Mysterium
B7 Dark Bolero
B8 Rebirth
LineUp
Fabio Pignatelli: bass, keyboards, programming
Agostino Marangolo: drums, percussion
Giacomo Anselmi: electric and acoustic guitars, bouzouki
Aidan Zammit: keyboards, programming, vocoder
Danilo Cherni: keyboards, programming
Guest musicians:
Dorraine Zammit Lupi: vocals (track 1)
Roberta Lombardini: vocals (track 6)
Francesco Marini: cello (track 7)
Arnaldo Vacca: percussion (tracks 7, 8)
Listening link on the main streaming platforms at the following links:
Spotify: The full album is available on the Spotify platform.
Bandcamp: You can listen to and support the band directly on their Bandcamp page, where you can also download in high quality.
YouTube: There are several official songs available, such as Requiem for X, uploaded from the Relapse Records channel.
Apple Music: The album is present in the Apple Music catalog.
Amazon Music: You can find the album streaming on Amazon Music.
Deezer: The discography, including the debut album, is available on Deezer.
Note: All links to the musicians’ works are in the TAGS under the article title or on the "Artists"
