MAURIZIO GUARINI -
Creatures from a Drawer
2012 Back to the Fudda
Black Dog (excerpt)
reviews
photos from the session
The name Goblin should mean something to each and every serious (hell, even casual) student of European horror. The band formerly known as Oliver, then Cherry Five, who were mentored by Dario Argento to be the house band for his 1975 giallo* landmark DEEP RED; they, of the throbbing basslines and progressive Emerson Lake and Palmer-meets-Mike Oldfield groove. Goblin went on to become horror’s only real “supergroup” and represented the proto-rock video aesthetic that made the Italian terrors of the period such sexy, slick and visceral treats.
And though the core Goblin lineup consisted of Massimo Morante, Claudio Simonetti, Fabio Pignatelli, and Agostino Marangalo,, keyboard freak Maurizio Guarini was often their secret sauce, bringing much swooshing, ambient eletcro soundscapes to the table and playing on many of their iconic scores, including the unforgettable SUSPIRIA and later, CONTAMINATION. Guarini also worked with Fabio Frizzi on pictures like ZOMBI 2 and CITY OF THE LIVING DEAD. His credits are myriad and distinguished…
Somewhere along the line of his lifespan, Guarini moved to Toronto, Canada and there, found a kind of career renaissance. The first step was befriending the staff of Canadian horror magazine Rue Morgue who paired him with other seasoned local musicians Chris Gartner, Great Bob Scott and DEMONS 2 star Coralina Cataldi-Tassoni for an unforgettable live show at their Festival of Fear, and later with the same session players as the prog-rock outfit Orco Muto. Last year saw Guarini pair up with his old Goblin pal Claudio Simonetti for an even more epic performance at London, Ontario’s Shock Stock convention as Goblin Keys. If you were there, you shan’t soon forget it.
Long journey tritely condensed, Guarini has found some late career fame up here (and around the world after he joined forces with Goblin for both a new album and tour) and because of that, decided that it was a better than fine time to share some of his own personal work with the public. The resulting album is the gorgeous CREATURES FROM A DRAWER, a 10-track collection of new material, live cuts and, like the title suggests, misfit beasts leftover and long since stashed.
The album opens with the sweeping “Dialogue”, a majestic and experimental synth-based track that sets the tone. The gorgeous “Solar Channel” is just as cosmic as its title suggests, while the sneaky “Black Dog” employs treated vocals for a creepy, bizarre ode to the family pet and the climatic “Lost My Camera” feels like a playful Goblin tune.
In fact, this disc wears its history on its sleeve. It sounds like vintage Goblin, and yet it does not live in the past. It does not try to be retro and it isn’t. It all sounds fresh; a familiar skeleton with bold new flesh. It is music as art, timeless and trendless. In short, it’s a major work of electronic music from a man who has spent his life making it; one laced with humor and humanity.
a photo from the cd release concert
The long awaited release of Maurizio Guarini’s first solo album Creatures From A Drawer will emerge from the shadows among a ravenous, insatiable crowd in both the horror and progressive rock communities.
Arguably best known as the keyboard player of world renowned Italian progressive rock band Goblin, Guarini has also composed for countless horror classics such as Suspiria, The Beyond and The City of The Living Dead.
With an enigmatic sound, legions of fans from the shores of Europe, Australia, and North America, Creatures From A Drawer is guaranteed to captivate fans of all generations. Evoking sheer primal emotion Guarini’s collaboration with an assortment of acclaimed international musicians will mesmerize even the most cynical of horror fans and music aficionados alike. Limited to no specific genre the album’s influential traces of progressive rock, jazz-rock, fushion and ambient evolution are most prominent.
“An intruiging and very innovative album”
legendary filmmaker Dario Argento
