THE GREEN MAN

"The Teacher And The Man Of Lie"

Hau Ruck! SPQR - 2007

CD

The Green Man, one of the most promising new names of the Italian neofolk scene, are back with their second full-length release after the self-released debut of three years ago. Hau Ruck! SPQR took the Milan band under its wing and produced "The Teacher And Man Of Lie", which shows a totally different dimension of their sound and potentials. The CD is a concept album revolving around two figures of the ancient Essene tradition of Qumran and inspired by the Dead Sea scrolls and the Gnostic Gospels. Middle-Eastern images melt with Western esoteric giving birth to a very interesting scenario.

The music of The Green Man has developed towards unexpected territories, leaving behind the influence of the World Serpent sound, which characterized "From Irem To Summerisle", to embrace an original and interesting mixture of neofolk, Middle-Eastern ethnic echoes and electric guitars of acid folk taste. Vocals are sometimes sung, sometimes spoken, and certainly to praise is the singer's excellent British accent, not so common among English-singing Italian bands. The story of the album starts with the world creation and moves towards the last supper, with the constant feeling of coming apocalypse in the background. All texts are featured in the booklet together with very fascinating drawings.

Undoubtedly, "The Teacher And The Man Of Lie" is an outstanding work, very refined on both conceptual and musical level, not at all easy to approach and appreciate, but therefore worth several attentive listening. The suggestion is to read the lyrics and try to fully dive into this ancient eschatological tale of magic and symbols.

- Simon V.

Website: http://www.thegreenmanband.com

Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/thegreenman