Il Ballo delle Castagne is an Italian band that was formed in 2007 by two musicians coming from different experiences: vocalist and lyricist Vinz, previously brainchild of a “lo-fi project” called Calle della Morte and Marco Garegnani, previously with a band called The Green Man. The line up was completed by Diego Banchero (Malombra, Recondita Stirpe and Egida Aurea) on bass and Jo Jo on drums. The name of the band means “The Chestnuts Ball” and it was inspired by a legend involving the Pope Alexander VI (1431-1503) and his luxurious habits: the “Chestnuts Ball” was a kind of “Satanic Sabbath” where naked women used to dance in the light of candelabrums picking chestnuts from the floor with their mouths.

The music of Il Ballo delle Castagne is an interesting blend of hard rock, progressive and new wave. Their sound is gothic and dark and it could remind of bands like Antonius Rex or Il Biglietto per l’Inferno Il Ballo delle Castagne were formed in 2007 by four musicians coming from different experiences. Their eponymous debut album was released in 2009 and in the same year they released a 10′ vinyl single featuring two covers, Biglietto per l’Inferno’s Ansia/Confessione and Franco Battiato’s Paranoia. The Kalachakra album was released in 2011 on the independent label Hau Ruck S.P.Q.R. and distributed by Black Widow Records. It’s a concept album inspired by Wheel of Time, a documentary film about Tibet by Werner Herzog: Kalachakra. The album is dedicated to the Dalai Lama and to the struggles for the liberation of Tibet.

Their new album is released on BloodRock records and distribuited again by Black Widow and it’s called Surpassing all other Kings.Inspired by the Babylonian hero Gilgamesh, Surpassing All Other Kings closes the Ballo delle Castagne’s trilogy that began with the 10-inch single called 108 and the full-length album Kalachakra. In this third installment, the hero awakens after many centuries and rises from his grave to find out what is left of mankind and what destiny man chose for himself. A Sci-fi story, a psychedelic journey from Kraut to Space Rock, featuring the special guests; Carmen D’onofrio (ex Argine), and all members of the band Egida Aurea.