The band began in 1999 as a project fronted by Simone Salvatori (a.k.a. "Hellvis"), a guitarist and singer from Italy, and has since worked extensively with other projects in the same genre of neofolk, along with releasing their own music to the public.
Spiritual Front's so-called "Mafia-Folk" has been in release since 1999, in which time Simone Salvatori, the lyricist and conceptualist behind SF, has been known to create a unique feel within their traditionally folk style. Their most noticeable recurring output is Simone's charismatic playing of the acoustic guitar, along with martial drum beats characteristic of the neofolk genre. Slow and often melancholic vocals (leaning towards dark folk) are often contrasted with cabaret-like, somewhat comedic "swing-singing" and are reminicent of swing revival sound (particularly noticeable in their album Nihilist Cocktails For Calypso Inferno), showing the absolute dichotomy of Salvatori's compositions. Emotional piano chords are also frequently featured, with occasional violin playing and solos.
The use of field recording is also apparent in many of Spiritual Front's albums, often attributing an ambient feel to their work.
Albums
Songs For The Will - (1999)
Nihilist Cocktails for Calypso Inferno - (2001)
Armageddon Gigolò - (2006)
Rotten Roma Casino (2010)
Singles
Twin a Tin Tin Towers - (2002)
No Kisses on the Mouth - (2003)
EPs
Nihilist EP - (2003)
Collaborative Releases
Satyriasis - (2005; with Ordo Rosarius Equilibrio)
Bedtime / Badtime - (2005; with Naevus)
Compilation Albums
Angel of Ashes: a Tribute to Scott Walker - (2006)
Cruisin'
Spiritual Front Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The strength and the perfection
Of authority
Don’t let my heart become a victim
A victim and the executioner
Have the same perfect role
One on top of the other
The beast engraves his seal into my flesh
The angel stabs my chest with his golden arrows
I’m crawling on these streets until
You abuse my exhausted body
‘Til you make a sacrifice
Upon these violated doors
Your ivory seed enlivens our final carnal fight
And the conquest of this throne made of flesh and fascination
I’m slowly cruising until
Your last worst last desire bends my back
Wait for the storm to submit
My proud filthy love
I’m slowly cruising until
Your last worst desire bends my back
Wait because the best
Memories die fast
Without any word be clear
Without your breathing skimming my neck
I know your dagger and I will follow it
No kiss of fire for who betrayed my Adonis
And I will throw myself to your feet
You’re playin’ dices my virginity
Will this be the way of expiation
And the reward of my only god
I’m crawling on these streets until
You abuse my exhausted body
‘Til you make a sacrifice
Upon these violated doors
Your ivory seed enlivens our final carnal fight
And the conquest of this throne made of flesh and fascination
I’m slowly cruising until
Your last worst last desire bends my back
Wait for the storm to submit
My proud filthy love
I’m slowly cruising until
Your last worst desire bends my back
Wait because the best
Memories die fast
I’m slowly cruising until
Your last worst last desire bends my back
Wait for the storm to submit
My proud filthy love
I’m slowly cruising until
Your last worst desire bends my back
Wait because the best
Memories die fast
The lyrics of Spiritual Front's song "Cruisin'" are layered with darkness, cruelty, and the pursuit of power. The first lines immediately set the tone, as the singer calls out for cruelty to be shown to him, and for authority to be displayed in all its strength and perfection. The idea of authority becomes even more ominous as the lyrics progress, with the singer cautioning that he does not want his heart to become a victim, since the executioner and victim have the same perfect role. The beast and angel imagery is also especially potent, with the former engraving his seal on the singer's flesh, while the latter stabs his chest with golden arrows.
The song continues with visual and sensual descriptions, as the singer crawls on the streets waiting for his lover to abuse his exhausted body, until there is a final carnal fight that will result in the conquest of a throne made of flesh and fascination. The idea of power being equated with bodily conquest is once again expressed, but this time, it takes on a more intimate tone, with the ivory seed being mentioned as a symbol of potent virility.
There is a sense of both desire and resignation present in these lyrics, as the singer is willing to wait until his "last worst last desire" bends his back, even as he acknowledges that the best memories die fast. The ending also suggests a form of surrender, as the singer waits for the storm to submit his "proud filthy love". Overall, this is a song that explores the darker aspects of sexuality and power dynamics, leaving the listener with a sense of unease and foreboding.
Line by Line Meaning
Be cruel with me and show me
I want you to be harsh towards me and exhibit your authority to me.
The strength and the perfection
Demonstrate how powerful and accomplished you are.
Of authority
Your control and dominance over me.
Don’t let my heart become a victim
I don't want to suffer from emotional pain.
A victim and the executioner
The injured and their punisher share the same position of power and control.
Have the same perfect role
Both are necessary and in equilibrium with one another.
One inside the other
The two roles coexist within each other.
One on top of the other
One role dominates the other.
The beast engraves his seal into my flesh
A savage part of me leaves a permanent mark on my physical self.
The angel stabs my chest with his golden arrows
A pure part of me harms my emotional and spiritual state with its sharp impact.
I’m crawling on these streets until
I am making slow progress in life.
You abuse my exhausted body
You push me past my limits and exploit my tiredness.
‘Til you make a sacrifice
I am willing to offer myself as payment for the opportunity to be with you.
Upon these violated doors
On the places that I have been hurt or damaged.
Your ivory seed enlivens our final carnal fight
Our last physical competition is invigorated by your pure essence.
And the conquest of this throne made of flesh and fascination
Winning control over our physical relationship is key to satisfying our mutual desires and obsessions.
Your last worst last desire bends my back
I am willing to accommodate your most extreme and undesirable wishes.
Wait for the storm to submit
I am going to persist through this difficult time.
My proud filthy love
I am ashamed of my infatuation with you but cannot help feeling proud of it.
Wait because the best
Let's not rush this or make any hasty decisions.
Memories die fast
Our experiences together are fleeting and will quickly fade into the past.
Without any word be clear
I want you to be straightforward and unambiguous with me without speaking a word.
Without your breathing skimming my neck
I do not need any physical cues from you to understand how you feel.
I know your dagger and I will follow it
I am aware of your potential to harm me and will still go along with your actions.
No kiss of fire for who betrayed my Adonis
I am not passionate towards someone who wronged me or my loved one.
And I will throw myself to your feet
I will willingly put myself in a vulnerable position before you.
You’re playin’ dices my virginity
You are taking advantage of my innocence and using it for your benefit.
Will this be the way of expiation
Will this be how I make amends for my wrongdoing?
And the reward of my only god
Will this be the only way for me to obtain what I desire?
Contributed by Lucas N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
neofolkfan
on Kiss The Girls And Make Them Die
goes hard as fuck