Bookmark: Translation of Inferno Lyrics
From: "nearfest" <> Date: Fri Sep 19, 2003 3:40 pm
Subject: METAMORFOSI to make U.S. debut at NEARfest 2004
NEARfest is very pleased to announce the 3rd band for NEARfest 2004, the classic
Italian symphonic progressive rock band Metamorfosi. Led by the stunning analog
keyboards of composer Enrico Olivieri and the powerful baritone of virtuoso
vocalist Jimmy Spitaleri, Metamorfosi recorded "Inferno" in 1972. In "Inferno",
influenced by Dante Alighieri's timeless work of literature, Metamorfosi created
a timeless and absolutely essential progressive rock album. Greg Northrup (The
Giant Progweed website) writes: "There are moments on this album that simply
defy explanation; hellish, beautiful passages that climax in thunderous passion
with the overwhelming vocals. The melodies on here are absolutely spellbinding,
exhuming blood and fire by way of searing Moog lines and savage Hammond riffs.
Inferno is catchy, energetic and easy to get into, yet has a brilliance of
composition and passionate feel that surpasses anything ELP ever did, while
retaining the bombast and energy of that group. Phenomenal". In the early 2000s
Metamorfosi reunited with Olivieri and Spitaleri still at the helm. The band
will release the long-awaited "Paradiso", the companion work to their earlier
magnum opus, late in 2003. Metamorfosi will be making their U.S. debut at
NEARfest 2004 with a performance consisting of both "Inferno" and "Paradiso" in
their entirety. The band will treat symphonic rock fans to an unforgettable
keyboard-led tour-de-force during its set at NEARfest 2004.
Rob LaDuca; President, NEARfest 2004; July 10 & 11, 2004; Zoellner Arts Center
at Lehigh University; Bethlehem, PA
From: Mark Fonda
Metamorfosi are great! They only put out two albums: E FU IL SESTO GIORNO and
INFERNO (both in 1972) before splitting up. Inferno is by far the better of the two.
Classic Italian
prog at its best with gobs of organ, piano, harpsichord, minimoog &
mellotron, tight percussion and bass, with light vocals in Italian. They're like an
Italian Triumvirat! Having said that, now that I do a little research... no wonder, they
had a different lineup for Inferno which allowed keyboard player Enrico Olivieri to shine
through. It is a concept album based on Dante's 'Divine Comedy'. I need to listen a little
closer because it supposedly has rock versions of the American and Soviet national
anthems. The first album was more of a highlight for their lead singer, Jimmy Spitaleri,
who went on to record with a band called Thor. They broke up because Inferno did not have
very good sales at the time, but it is now considered one of the great classic Italian
prog masterpieces. I like Inferno better than anything I've heard from Banco or PFM.
Highly recommended!
From: Jeff Marx
I'll just wholeheartedly agree Mark--Italian Triumvirat indeed; far more
dynamic than PFM, the moog work shows great imagination and chops. I've been starting in
on Italian prog the last month or so and this album is my favorite. Too bad they were so
short-lived a group--way recommended...
From: Luca <>
>Does anyone happen to know if Metamorfosi's Enrico Olivieri did anything after
"Inferno?" Seems a real shame if he didn't.
Metamorfosi came back in 1998 with a new album called "Paradiso", the
sequel of Inferno and they had a great concert in Rome this August. This one can help you
(from the Metamorfosi fan club):
Dear Metamorfosi Friend, We are happy to inform you that Metamorfosi had a concert in Foro Italico of Rome last 2
August 98. We performed for the first time Paradiso from the Divine Comedy (our latest
composition). It was a big success and the audience requested for an encore. For the
encore we did a part of Inferno from "Selva Oscura" to "Spacciatori di
Droga". On 16 September 98 (next week), we will perform in Testaccio Village Season together with
Le Orme. We will play Paradiso again. We sincerely hope that you can come to see our
performance. Otherwise, you will soon hear Paradiso on the CD which will be available
within this year. Thank you for your attention. METAMORFOSI
to tell you the truth "Paradiso" is not yet available, but when it would be
released I will let you know.I'm very impatient as you, I think. Ah, to subscribe to the
Metamorfosi fan club you can go to their homepage: (see
above) or just subscribe your personal details (name, address, zip code, country, telephone,
e-mail) to : . The last interesting
thing, the Dear Metamorfosi friend... you read above was written by Enrico Olivieri
himself...
From:
Metamorfosi ~ "Inferno" is another incredible example of what Italian
'prog' was capable of in the early 70's. Quietness blended among rampaging harpsichord,
piano, demented synth work and organ. The vocals of Jimmy Spitaleri are a
highlight.
From: "Michele D'Ambrosio" <>
I've personally met Gianni Leone and Jimmy Spitaleri (now we are good friends).
The incredible is that Metamorfosi have just done the following of Inferno
(trans: hell) named Paradiso (The Paradise): really wonderful !! Unfortunately
isn't available at record's shop because there are some problem with producer
From: "amfonda" <>
Subject: Metamorfosi's 1st CD
Cross-post from :
dnght734 wrote: > I'm new to the group,and I have been reading the posts
from the past. I came across this one regarding Metamorfosi. I had the same
question about their first LP, so it was good to get opinions about it from
people. Brian wrote in a follow up that he likes the singer's voice. The singer
is Davide Spitaleri. He did a solo album that is available from Greg Walker and
Doug Larson. I don't recall how much I like it, but I do think it is worth
having. Regards, Dave
From: Bluepus <> Subject: Re: Metamorfosi's
1st/Area CDs I have just been spinning through E Fu Il Sesto Giorno (Metamorphosi's
1st) several times during the cristmas, and have concluded that it's barely
worth having. It's got a couple of great tracks, but mostly the songs are very
simple, and not very italian sounding. The parts of the lyrics that I understand
tell me it's a very religious album, and some of the songs could easily have
been traditional negro spirituals in rock-form. Actually the singer is the only
reason to buy this album, as he's absolutely fantastic. Stian
From: David Eric Shur <>
Subject: Metamorfosi's 1st CD
> I have just been spinning through E Fu Il Sesto Giorno > (Metamorphosi's
1st) several times during the cristmas, and have concluded that it's barely
worth having. Stian
That's the way I feel about Inferno. A member of this group was kind enough
to burn me a copy and trade, and boy, was I bitterly disappointed. Poor song
composition. The playing was OK, it was just the material that was bad.
From: "Jeff Marx" <>
Subject: Re: Metamorfosi's 1st CD
Wow....it just goes to show you how wide the viewpoints can vary in our prog
community. The creativity and use of synthesizers and hammond, the strong vocal
presence, and the pure mood of the music makes "Inferno" one of my
most treasured CDs.
From: "Andrew J. Rozsa" <>
Subject: Re: Metamorfosi's 1st CD
>Wow....it just goes to show you how wide the viewpoints can vary in our prog
>community. [.......]
Yet another dimension that adds variability is time..... I have listened to many
an album and considered it mediocre or bad, only to come back to it 1 or 2 years
later and absolutely love it. I
find "inferno" utterly enjoyable... always have.... after the second
listening. :-))
From: Luca <>
At 14.21 20/04/00 -0700, you wrote: >Luca wrote: >> >> As
Metamorfosi's "Inferno" is my all time favourite italian prog album I
>> would try to translate the lyrics from Italian to English so that
anybody >> could understand what Spitaleri sing. My knowledge of English
is not so >> excellent, but I hope someone can appreciate my effort. (Jeff
Marx is one of >> this, isn't it?). I attached it as a Word file. >>
>Yes, definitely in my Italiprog top three Luca, and I've always wanted a
>translation, so I'd certainly appreciate and salute your efforts, but I
>think you forgot to attach the file! :) BTW...where is Paradiso? I
>thought it was supposed to come out last year? Have you heard it? >
>Waiting in glorious anticipation,
I haven't any news for Paradiso,
unfortunately.
As for the translation, I'm sure I attached the metamorfosi.doc file, but if
there are some problems I put down it in this e-mail...
INFERNO - METAMORFOSI
Introduzione
Sulle rovine di antiche
citt?br>
crescono fiori senza colore.
Alberi tristi tendono al cielo
rami corrosi dal tempo.