Antikatechon: "Chrisma Crucifixorum" CD reviewed on "Side-Line"

Rage In Eden was in search of a dark-ambient project so they picked-up Antikatechon to release the 2nd full length of this project.
Last year Antikatechon released their debut CD and this new opus is a terrific successor! Taking off with humming waves emerging from the depths until an acoustic guitar plays a floating melody, this track is a surprising, but overwhelming debut. The next piece is opening the doors of hell. We're moving throughout cellar atmospheres and spoken ghost-like female voices. The sounds are like echoing in an obscure space.
Antikatechon progressively joins pure dark soundscapes, but it's only a teaser for what's coming up. "Convivium Vulturum" sounds like the epicenter of hell. The blasts of sound symbolize an imaginary army of evil spirits that are dropped to terrorize the mortals. "Cunabula Improbitatis" is an intriguing and unique experience. The dark-ambient sound is overwhelming and feels like gangrene slowly conquering your body. Before you really realize what kind of nightmare you're walking through "Chrisma Crucifixorum" will give you the final dark assault. It sounds dark and oppressive, like there is no real exit.
This dark-ambient release will ravish all fans of the genre. Antikatechon will appeal to the fans of Cold Meat Industry, which is more than a reference!

http://www.side-line.com/reviews_comments.php?id=48155_0_17_0_C

Antikatechon: "Chrisma Crucifixorum" CD reviewed on "Rosa Selvaggia"

La dark ambient (secondo lavoro di Davide Del Col con questo moniker n.d.r) miete vittime tra i polacchi. Folgorati sulla via dell'inettitudine, si lasciano travolgere dalle atmosfere ...criptiche delle camere di risonanza catacombali. Nonostante la celebrazione si svolga secondo i dettami della regola aurea dogmatica (lo stupore si carica di incantevole armonia cosmica e trasale), il desiderio di libertà sovrasta l'iniziazione per una più tiepida lezione di darkitudine. Sei tracce di desolazione collettiva, una esperienza di vita nelle viscere della terra laddove l'uomo ha posato le sue pietre per ascoltare il suono della terra oltre la spiritualità. Lo spazio è respiro, l'ossigeno è goccia, il tempo è nullità. Per ritrovare se stessi nel labirinto della perdizione e provare ad uscirne senza abbandonare la percezione che fuori tutto è carta velina.
(Pinhead) 
http://www.rosaselvaggia.com/recensionidischii_luglio_2012_1.htm

Antikatechon: "Chrisma Crucifixorum" CD reviewed on "The New Noise"

Davide Del Col (Echran, Molnija Aura, Rhetra) torna con Antikatechon e pubblica il seguito di Privilegium Martyrii del 2011, un album in apparenza incagliato in ogni possibile cliché dark ambient, sia musicale sia visivo, che invece si rivelava immediatamente come un solidissimo lavoro di genere. Con Chrisma Crucifixorum Davide progredisce conservando. Ricorre sempre a un immaginario cristiano cupo e da Controriforma, soprattutto possiede il tocco e l’esperienza per creare tracce che scavano in grande profondità, immalinconendole con distese di synth e rimandi all’estetica Raison D’Ětre. Questa volta però, sembra abbia voluto tener conto del lavoro di gente come Hall Of Mirrors (Giuseppe Verticchio al mastering, come Andrea Marutti in Privilegium Martyrii) e Pietro Riparbelli: i pezzi sono più stratificati e potenti, i suoni spesso sono più sfrigolanti, noisy. Durante l’ascolto sentiremo anche un intervento di chitarra acustica, accenni di uso delle percussioni, campionamenti meno usuali, ma si tratta di dettagli che possono impreziosire ma non spiegano il disco. Questa volta non è come assistere a qualcosa di tragico, è come vederlo disturbato da una vhs consumata, giunta al suo ultimo giro prima di sfaldarsi.
Nell’insieme Antikatechon dà l’idea di qualcosa già buono che può crescere ancora, per questo non bisogna perderlo di vista.
(Fabrizio Garau) 

Antikatechon: interview on "Santa Sangre" webzine

interview by: stark

Today we’d like to present the interview with Italian project called Antikatechon, which not so long ago gave the ambient world an excellent album “Chrisma Crucifixorum”. We were talking with Antikatechon’s mastermind Davide Del Col. Have a nice reading.

According to the New Testament, “katechon” means “the one who withholds” the coming of the Antichrist – should Antikatechon be considered as “the one who withholds katechon” or is there any other meaning of this name?
Yes, Antikatechon means the intention to support the dissolving forces. It is a philosophical concept, so the interpretation can be expanded in many situations (religious, political, social etc.).
Is there any particular ideology standing behind Antikatechon?
There is an apocalyptic message that reflects my own idea about human corruption. With my music I want to create an epic and solemn scenario of the cleansing that must be done.
Which albums and artists had the greatest impact on you in the past and somehow formed you (at least in some part) as a musician?
I have to mention Current 93, Raison d’être , Kirlian Camera’s “Solaris” and “Schmerz” albums, Illusion of Safety, early Deutsch Nepal. However I also listen to different genres of music, like extreme metal, progressive rock, electro, kraut-rock etc.
I’d like to ask you about the idea of using the Latin language entirely, within Antikatechon’s activities. Why have you taken such a step and how is it related to the whole Antikatechon concept?
Well, I used the Latin language simply because I like it. I love dead languages. Latin is a very solemn language, so it is adapted to my atmospheres. But maybe in the future I will also use English or other languages.
Your debut is released by the Silentes label, which in my opinion is a perfect place for such projects as yours – what was the reason for you leaving Stefano Gentile’s label and joining the Polish Rage In Eden label which is mostly known for releasing martial music?
When “Privilegium Martyrii” was released, Silentes had many albums scheduled for release, so I preferred to also contact other labels. Rage In Eden is more oriented on Martial Music but that is not a problem for me. Marcin was enthusiastic about my music, and he immediately accepted to release “Chrisma Crucifixorum”, so I’m very happy for this solidarity.
In my opinion your music has something in common with Italian projects like Hall Of Mirrors, as well as with sacral Raison d’être-esque ambient. How would you refer to such comparisions?
I’m interested in melody and sacral concepts, but I also like structures based on drones, field recordings and death industrial loops. The consequence of this “duality” is to be connected to different styles of dark ambient. I am a fan of Hall of Mirrors but this project does not represent an influence for me, because it is a project contemporaneous to Antikatechon. Influences have to be searched for in my past, when I started to compose, and they are the projects I mentioned above.
How important is music in your life? Do you consider it more as a hobby, as an escape from trivial, day-to-day problems, or perhaps as something else?
Music is almost all of my life, not a simple hobby. It is the way I have to express myself.
I know that Giuseppe Verticchio was responsible for the mastering in “Chrisma Crucifixorum”. I have to tell you that I hold Nimh in very high esteem. And – to be honest – I can hear many similarities in sound between Antikatechon and Nimh or mentioned above Hall Of Mirrors. Could you tell me about the relationship between you and Giuseppe? Is it only on musical ground?
Giuseppe is first of all, a real friend. I have known him since, a dozen years ago, he asked me some CDr copies of Ornament, my first solo project born in 1999. He is a beautiful person and an artist with a huge personality. He made a very good mastering on “Chrisma Cruxifixorum” and he also engineered the sounds on “Privilegium Martyrii”.
According to Discogs, you are or were involved in many other projects apart from Antikatechon. Could you present in few words Rhetra, O Diabo De Vila Velha, Ornament, 30 Seconds Over Teheran, Echran, Molnija Aura and any others that elude me?
Rhetra is my black metal band in which I play drums. O Diabo De Vila Velha is just a moniker I used for some compositions inspired by 70s and 80s cosmic music. Ornament was my first solo project, started in 1999 and ended in 2003. Under this name I released 3 CDrs and a digital album. 30 Seconds Over Teheran was a collaboration with Paolo Romano (from the band I/O), we recorded some experimental tracks that were never released. Echran is my collaborative project with Fabio Volpi and Accursio Graffeo, born in 2003. We released two CDs and played live in various festivals. Molnija Aura is a cosmic ambient project in duo with Andrea Marutti. You forgot Nimeton Geist, but it is not a main project, I used this name for a tape release on The MGS records.
I think Italy has the strongest ambient and dark ambient scene in Europe. I can’t think of any other country which has so many great projects that correspond to my emotions in such a perfect way. But how do things look ”from the inside”? What’s your opinion about the Italian scene? Do you have any favourite artists or albums?
I think the Italian scene was always supported by important and inspired artists, from Maurizio Bianchi to Kirlian Camera, from T.A.C. to Alio Die, up until the more contemporary projects like Amon, Bad Sector, Nimh, Hall of Mirrors. I am very honoured to collaborate with Andrea and Giuseppe. If I have to mention some albums, I’d say “Solaris” and “Schmerz” by Kirlian Camera, “La nouvelle art du deuil” by T.A.C., “The Legacy” by Amon, “The Unkept Secret” by Nimh.
Perhaps you could recommend an unknown, young Italian artist which in your opinion deserves some more attention?
Surely there is something interesting, but I have not listened to any recent music lately.
What was the most beautiful and inspiring place you’ve ever been?
Well, I think Estonia is a wonderful country, I like natural places, not as contaminated and industrialized as the town where I live in. In Italy there are many lovely places, I like Tuscany and Umbria, both extraordinary regions.
Are you interested in football? I guess you liked your national team performance during Euro 2012?
Yes, I like football, I played myself in the past and I am a supporter of the Udinese team because I have Friulian origins. But Here in Italy football is a real disease and it’s ruining the sport. Italy did good in the European Championship, beyond all expectations.
Any plans for the nearest future?
I just started to compose new songs for the next Antikatechon release, and I’m working to improve my drumming skills for future live shows with Rhetra.
Thank you for the interview!

http://santasangremagazine.wordpress.com/2012/07/22/scenario-of-the-cleansing-that-must-be-done-interview-with-antikatechon/

Antikatechon: "Chrisma Crucifixorum" CD reviewed on "Santa Sangre" webzine

Not even months, but years have passed since the last time I liked an album released by Rage In Eden so much. On the other hand, knowing some of the facts concerning “Chrisma Crucifixorum” my reaction doesn’t surprise me at all.
First of all, Antikatechon comes from Italy and for me this is always a first advantage, even without listening to the album. I often emphasize on my fascination with the Italian dark ambient scene, so in this case I have to do it once again. “Chrisma Crucifixorum” is the second release of Davide Del Col’s project. His debut, “Privilegium Martyrii”, was published by Silentes in 2011. Stefano Gentile is rarely wrong when it comes to searching and finding new Italian artists whose works are worth presenting to the industrial/ambient scene, and Antikatechon is no exception. Giuseppe Verticchio, known primarily from Nimh and Hall Of Mirrors, is responsible for the mastering and his contribution is more than noticeable, because this record is simply permeated with the spirit of this particular segment of the Italian scene.
If I were to describe “Chrisma Crucifixorum” using specific words, I would say that we are dealing with a sound distinctive for all Silentes-related ambient projects, with Hall Of Mirrors’ ingenuity, Amon’s darkness… but also – to escape a little bit towards the North – the solemn, even sacred aura of the best Raison d’être albums rising in the air. This specific reverb sound gives a powerful sense of presence inside a vast cathedral during some religious or mystical ceremony. This impression is completed by the Latin titles of the songs. The music itself is dark and gloomy ambient, frequently interspersed with beautiful melodies, mostly synth, but in the opener, “Altaria Expiationis” you can hear an acoustic guitar (And in this case I just can’t get rid of Hall Of Mirrors “The Fortress” from my head). This combination of moist and musty darkness straight from an ancient and neglected stone structure, with sounds that are sad yet shimmering with some brighter colours works wery well here.
Great choice by Rage In Eden. It’s an excellent album both for dark ambient fans from the Cold Meat camp and for those preferring less obvious, more abstract sounds like the ones often being served by Silentes. Personally I like good meat as well as aromatic spaghetti, hence “Chrisma Crucifixorum” is very much to my taste.
(Stark)
www.santasangremagazine.wordpress.com

Antikatechon: "Chrisma Crucifixorum" CD reviewed on "Oltre il Suono"

Nuovo secondo, entusiasmante capitolo per il progetto "Antikatechon" di Davide Del Col, pubblicato dalla ben nota e sempre ambiziosa etichetta polacca "Rage in Eden". Sei brani affascinanti ed evocativi di musica tipicamente dark ambient, per una durata totale prossima ad un'ora. Sonorità oscure, sepolcrali, a momenti sinistre, tornano a dipingere paesaggi apocalittici, scorci di antiche rovine, decadenti edifici abbandonati dal tempo, lande desolate avvolte dalla nebbia, orizzonti fumosi dai contorni incerti e indefiniti… E ancora una volta tornano strutture sonore costruite con un abile e articolato utilizzo di possenti loops metallici, onde circolari di morbidi tappeti sintetici, echi di lugubri e indistinguibili voci umane, profondi drones, evocativi e cinematografici rumori d'ambiente, struggenti paesaggi melodici che talora allentano la tensione, ma senza mai regalare un solo attimo di "vera", assoluta quiete e serenità… Non c'è pace né speranza né riscatto nella musica di Antikatechon… Un CD assolutamente imperdibile per chiunque ami viaggiare nell'ombra e nell'oscurità, e negli abissi ancora più reconditi e imprevedibili delle proprie inquietudini interiori.
(Giuseppe Verticchio)
www.oltreilsuono.com