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)
My Kingdom For A Horse
Spiritual Front Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
So I can gratify my heart and my flesh
I forced you to love me
I forced you to believe me
A certain lover
you hide a silver knot among my rags
And an endless road for this exanimate man
I don't want servants
Take my first born
My most precious jewels
My wisest advice
I could give you my head and my strongest weapons
But may I grant the ever worst will of mine
Just for this filthy Instant
I want it now
My kingdom for a horse my love
My kingdom for your last breath
This the last will of a man
Who lost freedom and power
My kingdom for a horse my love
My kingdom for your last breath
This is the last will of a blind man
Who fought the most cruel god
I should know the streets I'm walking On
or the ones I never walked
I would want to obey your orders for once
I'll the be the wicked one
When you'll ask for pity
I'll be the most ridiculous clown
When you will ask me for justice
Ask me how I can let my kingdom sink For a moment
for a moment in your smell
There's a man who tells his story
And I should tell you mine
I should feel ashamed for not having ever done It
I should lay down and flatten out the vague borders
And the doubts of my useless life
I'm too old for being doubtful
The lyrics to Spiritual Front’s “My Kingdom For A Horse” speak of a man who is willing to sacrifice everything he has in order to possess his love. He asks for the sharpest blade to gratify his heart and flesh, as he’s forced his lover to love and believe him. He realizes he’s lost his freedom and power, and he’s willing to give anything up to gain control of his life again, even if it means his kingdom for a horse or his lover’s last breath.
The man’s character is not one of a hero, but of a tragic figure who has become blind to reality. He mentions an endless road for an existence that has become lifeless. He’s ready to be the wicked one, the most ridiculous clown, and even be pitied by his love. The song speaks of a man who wants to escape his life and asks for a moment to bask in the smell of his love. He feels shame for not telling his story sooner and for not being decisive enough in figuring out his life's boundaries.
The lyrics have a melancholic tone and speak of a man's inner turmoil. He's lost himself and his bearings, and the only way he thinks he can regain his personal power is by possessing and controlling his lover. The song speaks to the human condition and the desire to control life, even when that control is not possible. It's a sad comment on the consequences of holding onto unhealthy desires.
Line by Line Meaning
Give me the sharpest blade
Grant me the means to satisfy my physical and emotional desires
So I can gratify my heart and my flesh
In order to fulfill my desires
I forced you to love me
I manipulated and coerced you into loving me
I forced you to believe me
I manipulated and coerced you into believing me
A certain lover
Referring to the object of affection
You hide a silver knot among my rags
You have concealed something valuable within something worthless I possess
And an endless road for this exanimate man
An eternal journey for someone who feels lifeless
I don't want servants
I do not desire those who will obey my wishes without question
No strong legionaries
I do not want a powerful army under my control
Take my first born
I am willing to sacrifice what is most precious to me
My most precious jewels
What I treasure most
My wisest advice
Sharing my intellect with you
I could give you my head and my strongest weapons
I would surrender what is most valuable if necessary
But may I grant the ever worst will of mine
I am willing to carry out the worst of my impulses
Just for this filthy Instant
Only to satisfy my immediate desires
I want it now
I must have it instantly
My kingdom for a horse my love
I will give up my kingdom for a moment with you
My kingdom for your last breath
I would trade all power for a final moment with you
This is the last will of a man
My final wishes as a mortal being
Who lost freedom and power
One who has been robbed of liberty and dominance
This is the last will of a blind man
The desires of someone who cannot see the truth
Who fought the most cruel god
One who struggled against fate
I should know the streets I'm walking On
I should be familiar with my surroundings
Or the ones I never walked
Even if I am not acquainted with them
I would want to obey your orders for once
I desire to follow your direction just once
I'll be the wicked one
I will be the evil one
When you'll ask for pity
If you ever request mercy
I'll be the most ridiculous clown
I will be viewed as foolish
When you will ask me for justice
If you expect fairness from me
Ask me how I can let my kingdom sink For a moment
Question why I would surrender all power for a fleeting moment
For a moment in your smell
To experience your aroma for just a moment
There's a man who tells his story
A person conveying his narrative
And I should tell you mine
I must share my own tale as well
I should feel ashamed for not having ever done It
I am culpable for neglecting something important
I should lay down and flatten out the vague borders
I should destroy the unclear barriers between us
And the doubts of my useless life
My uncertainties about an unproductive existence
I'm too old for being doubtful
I am too experienced to still possess such uncertainties
Contributed by Alice D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Руслан. Яровий.
мужик я твой фанат первийнах