S91
S91 formed back in 2006 when guitarist-Alessandro Baggiani & bassist-Giacomo Manfredi both met for the first time in a rehearsal room at Montecarlo. S91 is a female fronted European Progressive Metal band from Tuscany, Italy.
The band takes the idea for their moniker from Psalm 91.
S91 is an abbreviation for “Salmo 91” which is the Italian translation of Psalm 91:
S91 is an abbreviation for “Salmo 91” which is the Italian translation of Psalm 91:
Salmo 91
1 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. 2 I will say to the LORD, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” 3 For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence. 4 He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler. 5 You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day, 6 nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor the destruction that wastes at noonday. 7 A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. Psa 91:8 You will only look with your eyes and see the recompense of the wicked. 9 Because you have made the LORD your dwelling place— the Most High, who is my refuge— 10 no evil shall be allowed to befall you, no plague come near your tent. 11 For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. 12 On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone. 13 You will tread on the lion and the adder; the young lion and the serpent you will trample underfoot. 14 “Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him; I will protect him, because he knows my name. 15 When he calls to me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him. 16 With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.”
(Even though the band list the entire chapter of Psalm 91 they place a strong emphasis on Salmo 91:11)
1 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. 2 I will say to the LORD, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” 3 For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence. 4 He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler. 5 You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day, 6 nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor the destruction that wastes at noonday. 7 A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. Psa 91:8 You will only look with your eyes and see the recompense of the wicked. 9 Because you have made the LORD your dwelling place— the Most High, who is my refuge— 10 no evil shall be allowed to befall you, no plague come near your tent. 11 For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. 12 On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone. 13 You will tread on the lion and the adder; the young lion and the serpent you will trample underfoot. 14 “Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him; I will protect him, because he knows my name. 15 When he calls to me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him. 16 With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.”
(Even though the band list the entire chapter of Psalm 91 they place a strong emphasis on Salmo 91:11)
S91 now has three releases to their credit with the band's debut 5-track EP being released in 2009 titled 'Sto Per Tornare'. The track list for 'Sto Per Tornare' is: 1. Il Meglio Di Me (5:25) 2. Anime Vaganti (6:03) 3. Amor Per Te (6:23) 4. Ascoltami (5:38) 5. Sto Per Tornare (10:01). The line-up for 'Sto Per Tornare': Maria Londino / vocals, Tania Petrone / vocals, Sefora Bonaccorsi / vocals, Francesco Londino / keyboards, Francesco Romeggini / guitars, Alessandro Baggiani / guitars, and Giacomo Manfredi / bass.
In 2011 S91 released their follow up full-length sophomore album titled 'Volontà Legata'. This album features just 6-tracks but when one takes into consideration the total running time of over 52 minutes it's easy to see how this album is considered a full-length release. Their sophomore album finds the band playing Progressive-Metal with psychedelic and Pop influences. The track list for 'Volontà Legata' is: 1. Golgota (3:42) 2. Volontà Legata (6:03) 3. Memories (9:41) 4. Ribelle (9:06) 5. The Seal Of The Living God (17:58) 6. Spazio Inconcepibile (5:33). The line-up for 'Volontà Legata': Maria Londino / Lead Vocals, Sefora Bonaccorsi / Lead Vocals, Tania Petrone / Lead Vocals, Francesco Romeggini / Guitars, Francesco Londino / Keyboards, Giacomo Manfredi / Bass.
In 2011 S91 released their follow up full-length sophomore album titled 'Volontà Legata'. This album features just 6-tracks but when one takes into consideration the total running time of over 52 minutes it's easy to see how this album is considered a full-length release. Their sophomore album finds the band playing Progressive-Metal with psychedelic and Pop influences. The track list for 'Volontà Legata' is: 1. Golgota (3:42) 2. Volontà Legata (6:03) 3. Memories (9:41) 4. Ribelle (9:06) 5. The Seal Of The Living God (17:58) 6. Spazio Inconcepibile (5:33). The line-up for 'Volontà Legata': Maria Londino / Lead Vocals, Sefora Bonaccorsi / Lead Vocals, Tania Petrone / Lead Vocals, Francesco Romeggini / Guitars, Francesco Londino / Keyboards, Giacomo Manfredi / Bass.
In 2016 S91 released their third studio production and their second full-length album titled 'Behold The Mankind'. The release was recorded at Sculture Sonore studio except drums which were recorded at Studi Magnitudo. The album is produced by Cristiano Bertocchi(Vision Divine, Labyrinth, Wind Rose) and Christian Liljegren(Narnia, Golden Resurrection, Divinefire, etc). Christian Liljegren's is a special guest on “The Cry Of Life” and his vocals for the track were recorded at Room of Doom recording studio. The album was Mixed by Marco Ribecai at Studi Magnitudo and mastered by Simone Mularoni at Domination Studio. The album's cover art features model-Janna Prosvirina with the cover art layout and graphics being done by Jahn Vision Art.
“Behold The Mankind is a concept album about the history of mankind based on Christian theology. In this album we talk about how since mankind’s beginning, it has undergone rapid corruption by creating communities with strong social imbalances. This is because men and women carry an incurable evil within themselves that is only curable through the intervention of the creator."
Maria Londino is the vocalist for S91 and delivers up a solid performance on this release. Her vocals are clean ranging from soft to energetic as one might expect to find in the Progressive Metal genre.
Upon having listened to this album, the energetic guitar work of shredder-Francesco Romeggini is immediately noticeable with all his tasty guitar licks throughout this project. Francisco draws from a deep bag of tricks incorporating everything from Power Metal riffs to 80's and 90's style soloing to Thrash style shred. Yes, Francesco delivers the Metal goods and helps to elevate this project with his top notch performance behind the six strings.
Keyboardist-Francesco Londino adds plenty of atmosphere from track to track and helps take this project to another level with his use of the piano. Frandesco's piano work adds an element of intrigue and excitement not unlike what is found in the piano work of Jonathan Cain(Journey). Hopefully, on future releases, we will see even more use of the piano implemented into the band's work.
Track-8 "The Bloody Revelation" stands out from others with its arrangements and is the longest on this release with a complete running time of 9:39. As the track progresses, one can sense & feel the excitement build within the arrangements with the guitars & other instruments as the vocals become more animated and energetic with the revelation that the Messiah has risen.
In an interview at The Metal Resource, S91 sheds some light on the band's lyrical direction: "S91 is a christian band, but we are not willing to preach something, we just want to share our faith with our music, and want to tell the people how they can be Christian in this modern society, we believe that Christianity is the best way to face the life, not a religion, but a personal research of God".
(All lyrics were written by Maria Londino, Francesco Romeggini and Giacomo Manfredi. )
"The Calling"
I see a shepherd from a simple tribe
From a small and poor country
Unimportant to others
Very precious to me
I will make you into a great nation
I will make your name great
I will bless those who bless you
There is a prophecy about a man
No armor, no sword, but an olive branch
No beauty that we should desire Him
Despised, rejected by men
"The Son of God"
Sick healed, blind see, dumb speak, lame walking the streets
His power came down the earth but His glory went beyond the miracles
He’s the son of God!
Hate! They fear
Cruelty! the man who brings revolution
Pride! They fear
Anxiety! the coming of God’s true law
No malice in his eyes - no evil from his mouth
He knew his fate but - he did not back down
"Sacrificed"
Crushed and rejected by mankind
See the Son of Man is going to die
Beaten with no mercy in their eyes
See the King of Kings is going to die
The nails in His hands
On that rugged cross
On the wood He left cry, blood and pain
Cursed is everyone
Who is hung on a pole
So it was written, so let it be done
Forgive them, they don’t know what they do
"The Bloody Revelation"
The tombstone was moved, the tomb is empty
Now the veil of the temple has been broken, has been broken
Now the time of the Spirit came on us, came on us
Don’t be afraid, He is alive, death cannot hold Him
He isn’t here among the dead, He is risen
Blessed is He who has redeemed us, cause we cannot
And we’re celebrating our King and Servant
"Blind Revolutions"
You want a warrior but you
You need a Savior
You want a hero but you
You need someone to free your soul
You wand a riot but you
You need forgiveness
you want a revolution
You need a revelation!
"The Calling"
I see a shepherd from a simple tribe
From a small and poor country
Unimportant to others
Very precious to me
I will make you into a great nation
I will make your name great
I will bless those who bless you
There is a prophecy about a man
No armor, no sword, but an olive branch
No beauty that we should desire Him
Despised, rejected by men
"The Son of God"
Sick healed, blind see, dumb speak, lame walking the streets
His power came down the earth but His glory went beyond the miracles
He’s the son of God!
Hate! They fear
Cruelty! the man who brings revolution
Pride! They fear
Anxiety! the coming of God’s true law
No malice in his eyes - no evil from his mouth
He knew his fate but - he did not back down
"Sacrificed"
Crushed and rejected by mankind
See the Son of Man is going to die
Beaten with no mercy in their eyes
See the King of Kings is going to die
The nails in His hands
On that rugged cross
On the wood He left cry, blood and pain
Cursed is everyone
Who is hung on a pole
So it was written, so let it be done
Forgive them, they don’t know what they do
"The Bloody Revelation"
The tombstone was moved, the tomb is empty
Now the veil of the temple has been broken, has been broken
Now the time of the Spirit came on us, came on us
Don’t be afraid, He is alive, death cannot hold Him
He isn’t here among the dead, He is risen
Blessed is He who has redeemed us, cause we cannot
And we’re celebrating our King and Servant
"Blind Revolutions"
You want a warrior but you
You need a Savior
You want a hero but you
You need someone to free your soul
You wand a riot but you
You need forgiveness
you want a revolution
You need a revelation!
With the release of the band's third album 'Behold The Mankind' S91 has proven to be a strong contender in the Progressive Metal scene. If you are into bands like Delain, Darkwater, and early Shadow Gallery albums then you are going to love this release by S91.
Purchases of 'Behold The Mankind' can be made at any of the following links:
Musicians:
Maria Londino - Lead Vocals
Francesco Romeggini - Guitars, Lead & Backing Vocals
Francesco Londino - Keyboards
Giacomo Manfredi - Bass
Giacomo Mezzetti - Drums
Guest Musicians:
Christian Liljegren - Lead Vocals
Maria Londino - Lead Vocals
Francesco Romeggini - Guitars, Lead & Backing Vocals
Francesco Londino - Keyboards
Giacomo Manfredi - Bass
Giacomo Mezzetti - Drums
Guest Musicians:
Christian Liljegren - Lead Vocals