The Stories of H.P. Lovecraft - a syNphonic collection

[The Samurai of Prog]

Out now

The Stories of H.P. Lovecraft - a syNphonic collection

An inspired and exciting musical journey through “weird fiction” as explored by twenty modern progressive rock bands from around the globe! Three discs, includes a gorgeous 64-page booklet.

H.P. Lovecraft was one of the most influential writers of the 20th century. A pioneer of “weird fiction”, he influenced Stephen King and helped create the sub-genre which includes “The Twilight Zone”, “The X Files”, and “Fringe”. Colossus Projects and Musea have teamed up once again to produce a stunning 3-CD set with 64-page booklet that pays homage to Lovecraft’s legacy with 20 original compositions.

Each participating band chose a different Lovecraft tale, and then composed a musical piece based on, or inspired by, the story. Lovecraft’s weird tales proved to be a fantastic launching pad for the bands’ imaginations, as this project contains track after track of fantastic and creative prog rock. The bands and compositions are quite diverse, spanning many countries and progressive styles. Yet this “syNphonic collection” feels surprisingly cohesive, as the fantastical realm of Lovecraft’s imaginative writings drew the composers in a unified direction, all watching in awe and contemplating the horror of creatures and supernatural events from beyond our earthly realm.

Of interest to all fans of modern progressive rock, and essential to prog fans who love science fantasy with a dark twist!

CD1:
1. The Samurai of Prog - “The Case of Charles Dexter Ward”
2. Glass Hammer - "Cool Air”
3. Karda Estra - "The Haunter of the Dark”
4. Unitopia - "The Outsider”
5. Simon Says - "The Wailing Wall”

CD2:
1. Jinetes Negros - "Hypnos”
2. Blank Manuskript - "Beast in the Cave”
3. La Coscienza Di Zeno - "Colofonia”
4. Guy Le Blanc - "Beyond the Wall of Sleep”
5. Ars Ephemera - "The Other Gods”
6. Attilio Perrone - "Topi nel Muro”
7. Ciccada - "The Statement of Randolph Carter”
8. Daccord - "The Doom that Came to Sarnath”

CD3:
1. Sithonia - "Il Gatti di Ulthar”
2. Daal - "The Call of the Cthulu”
3. Kate - "Dream-Quest to the Unknown Kadath”
4. Nexus - "The Colour out of Space”
5. Safara - "Calendimaggio”
6. Aether - "Mountains of Madness”
7. Goad (Bonus Track)

[GentleG]

Ordered

[Lopez]

I will definitely look into this set being a big Lovecraft reader. I'm originally from Providence where the man lived. Very strange cat. He's buried in Swan Point Cemetery there.

[Jymbot]

Wow! Some very excellent bands there.

The Poe set was tops.

[Zeuhlmate]

Univers Zero was also inspired by him
Interview with Daniel Denis http://univers-zero.com/interviews.htm

And
The track "La musique d'Erich Zann" from Ceux du dehors refers to the short story of the same name by H. P. Lovecraft; the players read the story in studio, then proceeded to record the piece as a collective improvisation.

[dropforge]

CD1:
1. The Samurai of Prog - “The Case of Charles Dexter Ward”
2. Glass Hammer - "Cool Air”
3. Karda Estra - "The Haunter of the Dark”
4. Unitopia - "The Outsider”
5. Simon Says - "The Wailing Wall”

CD2:
1. Jinetes Negros - "Hypnos”
2. Blank Manuskript - "Beast in the Cave”
3. La Coscienza Di Zeno - "Colofonia”
4. Guy Le Blanc - "Beyond the Wall of Sleep”
5. Ars Ephemera - "The Other Gods”
6. Attilio Perrone - "Topi nel Muro”
7. Ciccada - "The Statement of Randolph Carter”
8. Daccord - "The Doom that Came to Sarnath”

CD3:
1. Sithonia - "Il Gatti di Ulthar”
2. Daal - "The Call of the Cthulu”
3. Kate - "Dream-Quest to the Unknown Kadath”
4. Nexus - "The Colour out of Space”
5. Safara - "Calendimaggio”
6. Aether - "Mountains of Madness”
7. Goad (Bonus Track)

This is all-instrumental, right?

[The Samurai of Prog]

This is all-instrumental, right?

60% - 40%

[jgprogbear]

Cannot wait! It's been on my radar for quite some time. Collussus/Musea always do a bang-up job on these comps. Don't expect this one will be any different, except maybe better.

[SRS]

I love these Collussus projects as much as anyone but please slow down with them Marco!! I think I'm now 2 or 3 behind. Take your time and get back to the original concept where the bands were actually working on common themes together.

Great to see Aether back on this one. I was afraid they had split.

[Karda Estra]

Looking forward to seeing this, Marco.

Take your time and get back to the original concept where the bands were actually working on common themes together.

While I can't speak about the all the releases & their frequency, as far as I can see with ones I'm involved with, which are new/newer releases, the musicians are definitely working on common themes.

[TheH]

Just made my way through to the third disk. Overall quality is quite high, and there is some really dark synphonic stuff (like that).

There seems to be some changes in lineup (the above is the actuall) and artwork what was shown before:

colossus.jpg

Actual above. Former below.

lovecraft.jpg

[The Samurai of Prog]

Live version of DaccorD's Lovecraft track...

[JKL2000]

Who is "Kate?"

[GentleG]

Who is "Kate?"

Accordind with booklet a duo from Finland
Teemu Niemela and Kalle Aalto

[The Samurai of Prog]

Accordind with booklet a duo from Finland
Teemu Niemela and Kalle Aalto

Members of Groovector

[porteri]

Bought from iTunes, listening now. Nerd-boy Lovecraft-fan (i.e. me) heaven

[Yanks2014]

I do have to get this. I could care less about Lovecraft, I have little desire to reader any of his work based on what I know of it (a matter of personal taste). But it does seem good source material for symphonic prog, and I like some of the bands involved. I've yet to be disappointed by any of the Colussus projects, and I have most of them.

[Sordel]

First I've heard of either of these projects but I like Poe so much that I even own the extended version of that desperately bad Lou Reed album, and I like Lovecraft too. If these weren't so expensive I would have bought them blind this afternoon. Could someone fill me in on the background to these albums?

[TheH]

First I've heard of either of these projects but I like Poe so much that I even own the extended version of that desperately bad Lou Reed album, and I like Lovecraft too. If these weren't so expensive I would have bought them blind this afternoon. Could someone fill me in on the background to these albums?

Pretty easy, each band plays a song based on a Lovecraft novel, short story etc. Which ones are used is not hard to guess cause the song titels are the story titels (just look above)

[Sordel]

Pretty easy, each band plays a song based on a Lovecraft novel, short story etc. Which ones are used is not hard to guess cause the song titles are the story titles (just look above)

I should have made clear that I don't know these bands. Would I be right in thinking that the talent pool for these albums is artists signed to one label?

[TheH]

I should have made clear that I don't know these bands. Would I be right in thinking that the talent pool for these albums is artists signed to one label?

Not really. The core band are the The Samurai of Prog who are I think the band of one of the Colossus guys (which is (was?) a prog mag from Finnland.
I think they just asked bands to join in with a track (on which they are only allowed to play vintage equipment).
It seems they had most sucsess in Italy and Scandinavia.

[Sordel]

Thanks, that helps a bit. I may look into buying one of these on mp3 since it seems to be half the price or less.

[trurl]

I'm very impressed with this one. Obviously I'm biased toward our own contribution ("Cool Air") but there's just a ton of great pieces, especially on Disk 2. I'm very honored to be a part of it!