"IN CAUDA SEMPER STAT VENENUM"
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Verso-la-stratosfera.blogspot.com

JACULA - 1969 - "In Cauda Semper Stat Venenum"

by Roby

" La mia barca naviga nel mare, ma nessuna nuova terra all'alba..
.
In cauda semper stat venenum".
Tracklist:
01- Ritus
02- Magister Dixit
03- Triumphatus Sad
04- Veneficium
05- Initiatio

In Cauda Semper Stat Venenum
Signori e Signore, si sconsiglia la lettura di questo post ed il conseguente download ed ascolto del file musicale alle persone impressionabili ed ai deboli di cuore, che sono pregati di recarsi ... xxxxxxx

Ecco, ora può cominciare il viaggio nel mondo oscuro del più dark dei folli artisti che costellarono i mitici seventies: Antonius Rex.
La storia comincia nel 1969 proprio con quest album mefitico, che uscì in 310 copie e fu in gran parte distribuito a non meglio identificate sette religiose... Ciò lo rende uno degli album italiani più ricercati dai collezionisti di vinile raro, tanto da raggiungere in originale quotazioni assurde.
Registrato a Londra da Antonius Rex aka Antonio Bartoccett ie Doris Norton, gran bella figlia e consorte futura del Bartoccetti, entrambi futuri genitori del genio (così mi dicono) della techno music Rex Anthony, il disco è caratterizzato da tappeti di organo da chiesa, spesso contrappuntati da riff chitarristici cattivissimi, da far invidia ai Black Sabbath (non scherzo, sentitevi l'attacco di Triumphatus sad o Veneficium), il tutto in un'atmosfera dark fatta di poetiche con riferimenti a maghi, scheletri, sabba satanici, parole e salmi in latino, oracoli, oscuri maestri, rumori di vento, cigolii... Nessuna concessione al formato canzone, nulla si salva dal nero dell'oscurità più cupa, tanto che a volte, se l'umore non è quello giusto, tracce di angosciosa inquietudine ti si appiccicano addosso e ti rimangono anche dopo l'ascolto.
Quello che stupisce è la proposta di un sound simile nel 1969, quando la cosa più gotica che potevi ascoltare erano alcuni passaggi delle messe beat...
Girano stranissime storie sulla coppia Norton- Rex, riguardanti castelli della Transilvania e delle Italiche terre, vecchi folli batteristi fidanzati con ventenni e poi morti in circostanze strane, antiche invocazioni a mefisto scritte al contrario ed altre decine di suggestioni per le quali vi rimando ad una sana googleata quà e là per il web... Vedrete che ne troverete delle belle.

Vi lascio piuttosto con una suggestione mia personale:
1) nonostante abbiano attraversato anni veramente tempestosi Doris Norton e Antonius Rex sono vivi, vegeti ed attivi in mille progetti anche se oramai sessantenni (Andate nel sito ufficiale, vedere per credere);
2) Doris Norton negli anni 80 ottenne un contratto immagino plurimilionario con nientepopodimeno che la Apple computers per sviluppare un software musicale ed incidere tre albums, sebbene ci fossero artisti molto più famosi sicuramente più qualificati di lei;
3) mettici che la Norton, davvero di una bellezza spettacolare, in tutte le foto che sono riuscito a rintracciare sul web è sempre uguale, quella che vedete quà sotto ed anche meglio (anche in questo caso provare per credere). Inoltre, Doris produce tuttora con grande successo, insieme al figlio Rex Anthony, tonnellate di musica techno;
4) lo stesso si può dire per il Bartoccetti, musicalmente sempre attivo (l'ultimo album risale al 2009 e si chiama Per Viam) ed anche nelle foto più recenti, sebbene per chiari motivi siano meno interessanti rispetto a quelle della di lui consorte, sembra quello di ormai 40 anni fa.

Considerando tutti questi elementi, se devo essere sincero, mi sono chiesto più volte, tra il serio ed il faceto, ma non sarà che l'invocazione al diavolo dalla cover di "Neque Semper Arcum Tendit Rex" del 1974 i due l'abbiano veramente recitata, vendendosi l'anima in cambio della vita eterna?
Solo il tempo potrà rispondere, in teoria avendo io 42 anni ho un pò di vantaggio per vedere come saranno i due tra vent'anni, ed allora forse saprò....

"Il maestro disse: io sono il mago, hai cercato riposo sullo scheletro del monte e non l'hai trovato..." .

Progarchives.com

JACULA - "In Cauda Semper Stat Venenum"

by Finnforest

So began the story. Bartoccetti doesn't much care about the new commercial "noise" you listen to, he's never cared what the record companies thought. I doubt he gives a damn that some people object to his interests. Along with his trusted partner Doris Norton they have been making spiritual sound paintings for the dark world for some four decades now with new material coming in Spring of 2009. He has never concerned himself with the commercial aspects of musical stardom, instead focusing on crafting esoteric pieces of sound for what he assumes is a limited, but devoted audience of music fans. Many of the original vinyl albums were printed in a few hundred copies and became huge collectors items. Thankfully Italy's Black Widow Records has rescued several titles for CD reissues, assuring that future generations of the open-minded will be able to experience these unique and groundbreaking recordings. Yes, groundbreaking for 1969, and leading the way for some genres of Metal and for artists like Devil Doll decades later. In fact this material was composed pre-Sabbath and released well before the Sabbath debut, meaning Bartoccetti's doomy riffs were not lifted from Iomni as some writers seem to hint. You could say this music is proto-Sabbath, proto-doom, or call it the birth of "dark-Prog." At times it feels like "ambient doom" but it is interesting that those dark or doomy connotations are only half the story. Often, listening to this atmospheric, open sound is not dark or depressing to me but rather soothing. Contradictions abound between the image and the exterior feel versus the actual emotion good music stirs within one. When there's depth to the art it's just never as obvious as many think. Labels aside, the first Jacula album was a revelation and would lead to a long storied career that would predict the Metal movement, outlast the classic Italian prog years, and carry into the current day a dark and original musical style that others may imitate, but no one does better. The name changed to Antonius Rex in 1974 but the main people and the philosophy really didn't-and Rex survives to this day.
The origins of Jacula date to around 1966 when young Bartoccetti landed in Milan. Not understanding Italian I have been unable to get much detail on these early years, but apparently the band members met and composed this album (working title "Volume Zero") through actual séances with the medium Franz Parthenzy. The released title In Cauda Semper Stat Venenum is a Latin phrase meaning "Poison is always at the end" according to some. By 1968 Bartoccetti had met Doris Norton (his then girlfriend and later I believe his wife) who would become an equal collaborator, keyboardist, and vocalist, as well as the much older organist Charles Tiring, who possessed some real experience on the vintage organs that they wanted. Only about 300 copies were pressed in the original run and they were not sold in record stores-instead it is said they were given away to folks with an interest in the esoteric. Bartoccetti also played in some other bands but considers them irrelevant pop groups now. It is Jacula that was the real deal, an absolute original piece of work for 1969. They are frequently labeled as "Satanists" by some for their interest in theological-philosophical and esoteric observations," much as Sabbath were by some people. I find it pretty ironic that some complain about the content of music like Jacula, Sabbath, or Therion, when you compare it to the damage organized religions have inflicted on man over time, I think those folks could use some perspective. It was difficult for me to permeate the awkward Internet auto-translators in trying to decipher the content of Italian interviews to English. Bartoccetti would be asked questions about their "occult" interests and would seem rightfully irritated at the implication of evil intent-didn't we learn anything from burning all those "witches?" From some of the comments, again, noting the language difficulty, I believe he says that his writing is concerned with mankind's problems as well: his degradation of the natural environment, warfare between countries, mindless consumerism, and the addiction of the masses to the ignorance peddled via television. The ease with which the human animal can turn a blind eye to the suffering of others while proclaiming moral high grounds. That said, the presentation of the music is undoubtedly put forth with the dark aesthetic and this will not appeal to everyone. For those who are able to deal with or even enjoy art bathed in a sinister, dark castle atmosphere, many wonderful audio adventures await you.
On to the music of In Cauda Semper Stat Venenum which has been lovingly restored and cleaned up on the Black Widow Records release. While I'm not a fan generally of musical revisionism (like the Genesis boxset), the remixing and embellishments done to this Jacula album have produced astounding results. It sounds spectacular for something recorded so long ago. The thinking of both the artist and BWR was that a new CD reissue would require the ancient tapes, in poor shape, to be shined up for the younger generation. Mission accomplished. Cranking up the pipe organ solo reveals almost no hiss and feels like sitting in a grand cathedral somewhere.
Before you buy a Jacula album know what to expect. Do not buy this album looking to sway to dreamy neo-prog solos, do not expect to be "rocked," do not expect a typical "band" experience. Expect that you are going to a recital and that individuals are going to play while you listen attentively. You may hear some things that disturb your ingrained sensibilities on multiple levels. You will hear long periods of Charles Tiring sitting at the traditional church/pipe organ playing in a dark and classically informed style. This is gloriously beautiful sound on its own which is the point; if you listen just waiting for the rock and roll to kick in, don't bother. Various wind and sound effects will come and go. Even Bartoccetti's proto-Iomni style assault on his SG does not impart a rock band experience so much as a texture over the single, beating funeral drum. Male spoken word vocals narrate the proceedings with great drama on occasion. "Initiatio" features Doris Norton's ethereal wordless vocals over introspective, beautiful piano and deep heartbeat drum, truly fantastic. The organ returns with majesty in the 10 minute closing title track, just variations, shades, very peaceful and almost ambient or meditative once one gets used to what is a pretty radical sound. Completely atmospheric, deep, and rich. That's the thing about the Jacula sound.it is just so original and definitive. Some people call this "boring" and I just could not disagree more. There is nothing more exciting than hearing something both traditional and yet so "out there." Walk down a musical path that doesn't need ultra-complexity to create its own world of dreams and visionary imagery. Give yourself time to appreciate the strange unsettling feeling in the church organ passages. How often do you get to hear something like that? It is difficult to decide which of the two Jacula releases to start with as both are strong and worth owning. The first has the groundbreaking factor and more guitar, perhaps more of an open naivety. The second is more intense in the dark vibe with a bit more going on despite having less electric guitar.
The story doesn't end here. The next Jacula album is arguably better and some 30 years later they would return with the magnificent concept album "Switch on Dark" which would combine the haunted castle story with a lush modern rock feel. Another new album is to be released soon. Bartoccetti and Norton will never be given the credit they are due as musical pioneers but I really doubt they care. I sense they realize the awe that individuals express when they stumble across these gems and give them a chance. That this music is so cherished by the few over much of the lot of rock and roll is the best reward an artist can attain. And again, Black Widow Records must be recognized and thanked for realizing the importance here and making the effort to get out this quality reissue. Get these great historical recordings while you can.

Amazon

JACULA - "In Cauda Semper Stat Venenum"

by Benjamin Miler

Jacula were a bunch of Italian occultists who expressed their beliefs through music. The group was lead by vocalist/guitarist Antonio Bartoccetti, violinst/vocalist Doris Norton, and English-born pipe organist Charles Tiring (considerable older than the rest of the group, he was already in his 60s when he was in Jacula and had a classical background). While their 1972 followup album Tardo Pede in Magiam Versus is often considered their only official release, it's only because that album was made available through record dealers willing to carry it in Italy. Their debut was actually this one, In Cauda Semper Stat Venenum, from 1969. This album was released on the small Gnome label, but not sold at record dealers, but whatever occult sects who were interested. And if the cover looks familar, it was simply reused and colored for Tardo Pede in Magiam Versus.
If you liked Tardo Pede in Magiam Versus, you shouldn't have much trouble adapting to In Cauda Semper Stat Venenum either. Recorded in a similar way, while conducting a seance, this one was said to be recorded in a church in England. But while much of the album is similar, with pipe organ and chanting, you also get the bonus of guitar, complete with heavy metal riffs not unlike Black Sabbath on some of the cuts (but you have to bear in mind, this was 1969 before Sabbath even released any albums, and it's very doubtful Sabbath ever got a hold of this album, as was anyone else back then). The music has the same, dark sinister feel, perfect for Halloween. But there's one real standout cut for me and that's "Initiatio", which is a truly haunting piece where Charles Tiring uses piano and even a Hammond organ (rather than the trustworthy pipe organ) instead with some truly haunting wordless female voices from Doris Norton. It's really hard to believe this stuff was recorded in 1969! At that time there were still psychedelic acts stuck in the "flower power" mentality, and prog rock was in its infancy, having given a big boost that year with the release of In the Court of the Crimson King (King Crimson). Even Black Widow, a British occult rock group that received a reputation was still going by the name of Pesky Gee and covering other people's songs (as demonstrated on their 1969 album Exclamation Mark). And Jacula sounds so far ahead in 1969 that it's little wonder why this album never made it to record stores, simply because it has much more of a '70s sound than a '60s sound! Of course there was the controversial content too, but that didn't stop their second (and final album) Tardo... from being released in record stores. While Jacula was able to release that second album three years later in 1972, Atonio Bartoccetti had to take military service, causing the group to disband (although he also had a falling out with Charles Tiring), but he returned in 1974 minus Charles and continued on as Antonius Rex. I give this one the slight nod over Tardo, since I don't have to deal with the poor spoken English found on "Long Black Magic Night", plus the fact it includes "Initiatio" which I feel is the finest piece Jacula had ever done, not to mention the presence of guitar on some of the cuts is a welcome addition lacking on Tardo.
This music certainly won't appeal to everyone. But if you don't mind dark sinister music, complete with pipe organ, heavy guitar and chanting, give it a try.

Debaser

JACULA - "In Cauda Semper Stat Venenum"

by Mayhem

Sto per parlarvi della band di Antonio Bartoccetti, nome d'arte Anthonius Rex: bistrattato dalla critica dell'epoca, sconosciuto al grande pubblico, bypassato dai produttori ("cambia mestiere" gli fu detto dal futuro produttore degli Area) è considerato attualmente uno degli alfieri del progressive rock italiano, o meglio di quello che sarebbe stato definito dark-gothic. La mia passione per la musica underground, ed in particolare per gli "archètipi" musicali, mi porta a parlarvi di questo particolare e straordinario disco, che ho scopertodi recente grazie ad un fornitissimo negozio di dischi specializzato. Un disco fino al 2001 praticamente introvabile, ristampato su etichetta Black Widow in edizione peraltro limitata. Forse difficile da reperire, ma ne vale la pena. È la prova che raramente gli artisti scalano le classifiche musicali.
Un sound inedito per l'epoca, fatto esclusivamente da un autentico organo di chiesa, dalla chitarra elettrica del leader della band e da voci tenebrose ed ossessive. Uno stile essenziale che caratterizza un album dall'ottima produzione: le percussioni sono praticamente inesistenti, se non per gli accenti, la chitarra è inserita solo in alcuni momenti, mentre a farla da padrone sono una voce monolitica e l'organo monumentale di Charles Tiring. Influenzatissimo dallo stile di Toni Iommi dei Black Sabbath, ed attratto morbosamente dalle tematiche occulte ed esoteriche, Bartoccetti riesce ad inventare un soundmalato, decadente ed oscuro, assolutamente in anticipo rispetto a chiunque altro. Un doom con venature ambient, se proprio volete un'etichetta.
Nell'epoca dell'esplosione del progressive rock, in cui le differenze tra le varie band andavano assottigliandosi, gli Jacula di Anthonius Rex furono qualcosa di veramente alternativo. Veramente straordinario il brano "Triumphatus Sad", violentissimo ma estremamenteragionato, fatto da una chitarra di matrice hard-rock "impastata", ed antesignano di qualsiasi"horror music" italiana. Senza dimenticare la lugubre ed evocativa "Initiatjo", in cuisi fa "sfoggio" una mistica voce femminile oppure la title-track, lunghissima, che non potrà non affascinare qualunque appassionato del genere. Chiaramente non si tratta di un disco che si "fa ascoltare" facilmente, in particolarele "poesie parlate" di Rex possono annoiare chi si aspetta ben altro da un disco rock. Ma credo che, nonostante la pesantezza di alcuni passaggi, si possa tranquillamente parlare di capolavoro del dark, o dark-gothic che dir si voglia (...siamo nel 1969!). Le parti prog possono riscontrarsi principalmente nelle parti tastieristiche esasperate fino all'estremo, nell'uso sapiente dell'effettistica, e nell'utilizzo della voce come mero strumento. Per rendersi conto veramente di cosa si possa trattare, e della bellezza insita nel sound, è necessario procurarsi il CD.

oocities.com
The Occult Rock Library

JACULA - "In Cauda Semper Stat Venenum"

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In 1969, this album of mysterious worlds, evocative church organ, innovative guitar, involving voices and lyrics, creative piano and synth, rhythms with tympans, was recorded in London and only released in a strictly limited number of copies (300 + 10 promos) that were only partly distributed by the producer and label owner to religious sects. In Cauda Semper Stat Venenum never reached the record shops, but the recorded album was the beginning of a path towards an interior research...
The story starts in 1966 when the young musician and composer Antonio Bartoccetti leaved the Apennine mountains in the Marches and landed in Milan. There he composed loads of ideas with a view to transform into music a series of theological-philosophical and esoteric observations, a result of a teamwork Bartoccetti had with the fantastic visions of the medium Franz Parthenzy. Entering the Milanese underground music circuit, he went about many bands (like "Le Orme") and began to compose and write lyrics for the album In Cauda Semper Stat Venenum (a latin expression which means "The Poison is always at the end").  
In 1968, Bartoccetti founded Jacula (together with his grilfriend Doris Norton and the organist Charles Tiring) and Dietro Noi Deserto (Behind Us Desert, with (Luciano Iura (vocals, organ), Luciano Quaggia (guitar) and Mauro Baldassari (drums) and the next year records a 45 rpm with Dietro Noi Deserto releasing the one-off single for the Italian Decca label. It had two tracks "Dentro me" ("Within me") and "Aiuto" ("Help"), both composed by Bartoccetti. This seems to be the only proper group which he played with (he played bass), and the style was closer to late 60's psychy beat than progressive. After a mini tour he dissolves the band, which he later deemed to be trivial, commercial and difined it as: "a mistake of his youth".
Thanks to Dr.Tosi of the Decca's acquaintances, Antonio Bartoccetti meet Alvin Lee in 1969, who introduced him to the artistic director of the indipendent label Gnome Record. He went to London realising his biggest project: recording the first "embryonic" album In Cauda Semper Stat Venenum produced by Travers, author also of the wierd black and white sleeve. Bartoccetti entitled the album as "Volume zero". Realising that this work would be difficult to market, and with Bartoccetti's approval, Travers decided to not commercialise the work because he wanted it to reach only the "magic covents". Travers himself absorbed the 300 copies in block and made them reach sects and brotherhoods: this was the best way to diffuse the first esoteric message of the band: In Cauda Semper Stat Venenum containing six excerpts of great surrealistic influence: Pipe organs and Hammond organs played by the great Tiring, terrifying effects and piano melodies created by Doris Norton, guitars and bass-line by the protagonist. After this album Bartoccetti lived a very retired life studying philosophy and went to visit all the castles of Lombardy, the marches of Aosta, of Austria, of Hungary and Rumania where he periodically resided, considering it the darkest place in the world. He got his income from giving guitar lessons and spendt his time composing music for the concept of Jacula...

Tracks:
1. Ritus (4.06)
2. Magister Dixit (10.30)
3. Triumphatus Sad (3.34)
4. Vereficium (2.21)
5. Initjatjo (6.48)
6. In Cauda Semper (10.05)

Band Members:
Antonio Bartoccetti - Music, lyrics, guitar, bass, vocal
Charles Tiring - Church organ
Doris Norton - Key special effects
 
Volume zero - Composed by Spiritualist Seance (1966 - 1969)
Recorded at Gnome Studio (UK) 1969
Mixed by Colin Coldweis
Designed by Travers

Release info:
Released by Gnome Record 1969 - In Cauda Semper Stat Venenum (LP) (AR-LP 00299) (310 copies, never sold)
Reissued on Black Widow Records (BWR 051) CD 2001