The name Strana Officina came from a comment made by police when called to their rehearsal space for noise complaints (on more than one occasion). When the band had been alerted that they were coming to possibly shut down their practice, they hid all of the instruments and gear by the time police arrived. The comment made by police (translated to English) was "this garage is really strange."; Strana translates to Strange, and Officina translates to Workshop/Garage.
Their former manager and great fan and friend in the 80s, was Klaus Byron (real name: Claudio Alberti, RIP 1962-2020) with his Musical Box agency, and later he became one of the main Italian rock/metal writer and editor in chief, first in Rockerilla (after some fanzines experiences) and Metal Shock, and then with Flash, being co-founder and chief in the latter for almost its entire story. He's also had a records mail order and then a rock clothing/gadgets shop.
After the death of the two Cappanera brothers, the band played some commemorative shows in 1993-1995 with Rolando "Rola" Cappanera (son of Roberto) on drums, and Dario "Kappa" Cappanera (nephew of Fabio and Roberto) on guitar.
The Ritual
Strana Officina Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
On a dark and cold night
When Orion shines to lead the way
Can you hear them too?
Are you one of the chosen few?
They come to give us the word
And they come to give us the truth
So come join the ritual
Our friends from the stars
So come join the ritual
Come show us the way.
The circle drawn now
For the friends beyond
And your eyes
They burn with the flame
The great ship will land
So take me by the hand
And together we'll walk in the light
They come to take us away
They come to give us the truth
They come for me and you
So join the ritual
So come join the ritual
Can you hear them callin' you
So come join the ritual
Another world to live a better life.
The lyrics to Strana Officina's song The Ritual speak about an extraterrestrial encounter that takes place on a barren hill on a dark and cold night when the constellation Orion is shining, leading the way. The song suggests that the aliens, the 'friends from the stars', have come to give humanity the truth and the word that they are searching for. The lyrics ask if the listener can hear the aliens' message, and if they are one of the chosen few who can.
As the circle is drawn for the 'friends beyond', the lyrics imply that the aliens' arrival is imminent. The song speaks of the excitement and wonder of being taken by the hand and walking towards the light alongside the aliens. The chorus repeatedly urges the listener to join the ritual, to heed the call and come with the aliens to another world, where they can live a better life with the truth and knowledge they have gained.
Line by Line Meaning
On this barren hill
In this desolate place
On a dark and cold night
During a bleak and chilly evening
When Orion shines to lead the way
When the star constellation Orion becomes visible, guiding us
Can you hear them too?
Can you hear the same sounds as I do?
Are you one of the chosen few?
Have you also been selected to join this group?
They come to give us the word
Alien beings arrive to provide us with their message
And they come to give us the truth
And they aim to share their honest perspective
They come from so far away
These beings travel from great distances to reach us
So come join the ritual
Therefore, participate in this ceremony
Our friends from the stars
These aliens are known to us as our starry friends
The circle drawn now
A shape has been traced on the ground
For the friends beyond
For the beings that are beyond this world
And your eyes
And your gaze
They burn with the flame
Displays a fiery passion within them
The great ship will land
Their vehicle of transport will arrive
So take me by the hand
Thus hold my hand
And together we'll walk in the light
Together we'll become enlightened
They come to take us away
These creatures will escort us from this planet
They come for me and you
They arrive solely for our sakes
Can you hear them callin' you
Can you perceive them beckoning you?
Another world to live a better life.
An alternative realm to exist joyfully.
Contributed by Eliana W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Music lover
Album che ha fatto storia, così come la band in questione. Qui si suona heavy metal con il cuore, realtà sempre più rara al giorno d'oggi.
Album (STRANA OFFICINA Ritual) in my collection, vid in my favs. Thanks.
Mateo Dai pra
Non posso che essere d'accordo con te! Ho la fortuna di avere quest'album in vinile
Milizia Alcolica
Ho ancora il vinile originale dell'epoca,mini LP se non sbaglio. Grande band.
tuherowarrior
Hail Italian steel!