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)
Redemption Or Myself
Spiritual Front Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
the comedy of redemption and lies
I role that I played so well...
That of the loser and fake
No mothers talked to me Kindly
No priest gave me consolation
What can your love offer to me?
What can my virtue give to me?
But no one paid me back
No one gave me my life back
How can continue my comedy
Without seein'me bleed on it
Adore the viles that adore us
Implore the gods that implore us
There isn't a hell without
Its own equilibrium
And a opera that doesn't kill his actor
But no one paid me back
No one gave me my life back
You deprived me of my conscience
And the word that will be action
And of the infinite sleep that will
Drag me through these seas
But I will run along these banks
That you traced for me
But no one paid me back
No one gave my life back
The lyrics of Spiritual Front's song Redemption Or Myself convey a feeling of exhaustion and disappointment. The singer seems to have lost trust in all aspects of life, including love and faith. The lyrics suggest that the character has tried to play a role, that of a loser or a fake, in order to find redemption, but nobody has taken notice of his efforts. The character feels deprived of his conscience and his ability to act upon his thoughts. He claims that nobody has given him his life back, and he is left to continue playing a role that does not bring any satisfaction.
The lyrics also depict the character's struggle with the idea of existence. The singer seems to be questioning the purpose of life and the nature of reality. The lines, "And a opera that doesn't kill his actor" suggest a sense of entrapment and helplessness, that even in a world where one is supposed to act, there is no escaping the consequences of that role.
Overall, the lyrics convey a feeling of despair and disillusionment, and the singer's quest for redemption and meaning in a seemingly meaningless life.
Line by Line Meaning
I wrote in my exhausted body
My physical and emotional stress was so great that it forced me to express my thoughts and emotions through writing.
the comedy of redemption and lies
I tried to make light of my own struggles by creating a false narrative of redemption, but deep down I knew it was all a lie.
I role that I played so well...
I became so used to pretending to be a failure and liar that it became my default persona, and I played the part convincingly.
That of the loser and fake
I presented myself to others as someone who was unsuccessful and untrustworthy, even though that wasn't necessarily true.
No mothers talked to me kindly
I didn't receive the nurturing and compassion that I needed, either from my own mother or from other maternal figures in my life.
No priest gave me consolation
I didn't find comfort or solace in my religious beliefs or in the counsel of spiritual leaders.
What can your love offer to me?
I don't believe that anyone else can truly love or understand me, so I question whether romantic love or affection from others has any real value for me.
What can my virtue give to me?
I don't believe that my own efforts to be virtuous or good have any real benefit or meaning for my life.
But no one paid me back
Despite my efforts to please or impress others, I didn't receive any acknowledgement or reward for my actions.
No one gave me my life back
No one else can fix or erase the trauma or pain that I have experienced, and I feel trapped in the cycle of my own suffering.
How can continue my comedy
I question whether I can keep up the facade of my fake persona and continue to hide my true feelings and experiences.
Without seein'me bleed on it
I can't keep pretending that everything is okay and maintain my persona without revealing my true pain and vulnerability.
Adore the viles that adore us
We often fixate on and romanticize elements of our own suffering or dysfunction, and these negative qualities can become ingrained in our identities and sense of self.
Implore the gods that implore us
We may turn to spirituality or religion as a way to cope with our struggles, but sometimes this can feel like a futile and one-sided exchange.
There isn't a hell without its own equilibrium
The law of cause and effect applies to even the darkest and most painful aspects of life, and it's important to acknowledge and accept this balance.
And a opera that doesn't kill his actor
Even the most dramatic or tragic experiences can be beautifully crafted works of art, and sometimes the creation itself can feel like a source of life rather than death.
You deprived me of my conscience
I blame someone or something outside of myself for my own struggles, and I feel like a part of myself is missing or taken away.
And the word that will be action
I struggle to take meaningful steps or make real progress towards recovery and healing, even if I know what I need to do.
And of the infinite sleep that will drag me through these seas
I feel like I'm stuck in a dream-like state, unable to fully wake up or engage with reality, and dragged along by the currents of my own troubled mind.
But I will run along these banks that you traced for me
Even though I feel stuck and constrained by my own experiences, I'm determined to find a way to move forward and pursue my own path in life.
Contributed by Colin J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
neofolkfan
on Kiss The Girls And Make Them Die
goes hard as fuck