01	Sacrilegium						58:56

Sacrilegium

First release: 05/92 on Hurdy Gurdy Records Cat. No. HG-7

A CONCEPT BY MR. DOCTOR
LYRICS BY MR. DOCTOR
MUSIC BY MR. DOCTOR
music arranged by MR. DOCTOR & DEVIL DOLL

DEVIL DOLL:

MR. DOCTOR - MAN OF THOUSAND VOICES
FRANCESCO CARTA - PIANO
ROBERTO DANI - DRUMS
SASHA OLENJUK - VIOLIN
BOR ZULJAN - GUITAR
DAVOR KLARIC - KEYBOARDS
MICHEL FANTINI JESURUM - PIPE ORGAN

with:

DAMIR KAMIDOULLIN - CELLO
MATEJ KOVACIC - ACCORDION
PAOLO ZIZICH - DUET "TALK TALK" WITH MR. DOCTOR
DEVIL CHORUS conducted by MARJAN BUNIC
(Paolo Zizich/Marian Bunic/Polona Sever/Beti Strencan/Breda Bunic/Gregor Oblak/
Jure Strencan/Boris Kurent/Mojca Sojer/Mr. Doctor)

Recorded at Tivoli Studios, Ljubljana, Slovenia
Church Organ recorded at Trnovo Church, Ljubljana
Mixed at Tivoli Studios
Produced by Mr. Doctor, Jurij Toni & Rob Dani
Engineered by Jurij Toni
Assistant Engineer: Borut Berden
Cover concept: Mr. Doctor
The Devil Chair "GEA" by Adriana Marac
Lettering: Mr. Doctor
Artwork: Mr. Doctor
Films: G. Paolo Fallani

Tracks: SACRILEGIUM... 43'32" 1'40"
Between the album and the "CODA" there are 4'04" of silence: Total running time is 49'16"

Different releases:
EUROPE

-on HURDY GURDY RECORDS Cat. No. HG-7 The following different editions exist:

*SACRILEGIUM BOXED SET LP : made exclusively to band members 10 numbered copies in amazing hard box with black velvet folder hand written lyrics, various hand made artworks & inserts. Every copy has completely different inserts.

*SACRILEGIUM - DEVIL DOLL FAN CLUB gatefold LP released by the Devil Doll Fan Club: 900 numbered copies only N.B. white label test pressings exist: mixing/mastering same as standard copies

*SACRILEGIUM CD includes 12-page booklet
(NOTE: released also in Slovenia. Slovenian copies do not have the SIAE rubber stamp on the inlay card)

U.S.A.

-on RENAISSANCE RECORDS with Cat.No. RCD-10l0:

*SACRILEGIUM CD Same booklet as European pressing/picture CD

*SACRILEGIUM CD as part of a 4CD BOX in black silk pouch with free Devil Doll patch, sticker and 12-page booklet with Devil Doll Chronology, exclusive photos and sheet music. Page 11 is hand-inscribed by Mr. Doctor (each copy has completely different words hand written). Limited edition 333 numbered copies. Picture CD. The first 30 boxes come in a cm. 32 x 17 x 13 black coffin and in velvet pouch (black or violet) instead of black silk pouch.


JAPAN

-on BELLE ANTIQUE RECORDS with Cat.No. MAR-95103:

*SACRILEGIUM CD this is the original European edition, but it comes with a second exclusive booklet and Japanese OBI.


Devil Doll: Sacrilegium

Renaissance (RCD 1010)
Italy 1992

"Mr. Doctor", vocals; Roberto Dani, drums, percussion; Bor Zuljan, guitars; Francesco Carta, piano; Davor Klaric, keyboards; Sasha Polenjuk, violin; Damir Kamidoullin, cello; Michel Fantini Jesurun, organ; with Paolo Zizich, vocals; Matej Kovacic, accordion; Marian Bunic, Polona Prosen, Beti Strencan, Breda Bunic, Mojca Sojer, Grega Oblak, Jure Strencan, Boks Kurent, chorus

Tracklist:
1. Sacrilegium - 58:56

total time 58:56


Brandon Wu:
Devil Doll albums are difficult to review because they are so formulaic: contrasting sparse passages of Mr. Doctor's bizarre vocalizations (usually accompanied by grand piano or acoustic guitar, and little else) against louder, fuller, and more traditionally progressive passages. The latter passages, on this album at least, are nearly all symphonic in nature, with lots of guitar and keys backed by a steady rhythm on the drums. There are a couple exceptions, with one burning passage that has more in common with metal than symph-rock. In general, the instrumental parts are all very well done, with a lot of piano, violin and cello lending the whole thing a somewhat orchestral feel. The lyrics tell the story of a man looking back on his life from the grave, and are fairly effective, though the campiness of the whole deal (the band is far from immune from symph-rock excess, with lots of massive choruses and pipe organ parts) probably nullifies the lyrics for a lot of people. I myself don't mind the campiness nor the tendency to formulaic composition, and enjoy this album quite a bit. This or Dies Irae makes a good introduction to the antics of Mr. Doctor, and I'd tentatively recommend either one to any fan of symphonic rock with an open mind.



======================


SACRILEGIUM
SACRILEGIUM:
PROFANATIO OMNIUM QUAE DEO
VEL SANCTIS PROPOSITIS CONSECRANTUR.

FOR LONG ENDLESS MILLIONS OF INSTANTS
I DRANK AT THE GOBLET OF ILLUSION
TILLING TUMOURS AND FOLLIES
DESPERATELY WANDERING
THROUGH THE DARK TUNNELS
OF THE BONE BOX
THEN, SUBMITTING,
I CHOSE TO DROWN
IN THE ASHES OF MY DREAMS.
WHEN PURITY IS RAPED
THREE DAYS ARE NOT ENOUGH
TO RESURRECT:
EVERYWHERE
LEPROSY SPREADS OUT,
THE LIGHT OF THE EYES
IS EXTINGUISHED,
THUNDERS NOW SHATTER
THE EARDRUMS,
THE SCREAM IS:
"THE PLAGUE BE ON YOU!"

THE DUST
I USED TO BUILD
THE IMPALPABLE REALITY
OF MY NIGHTS
BRINGS ME BACK
ALONG THE PATHS
WHERE I SCATTERED
USELESS HOPES.

BELIEVE!
CAN I TRUST YOU?
NO, PLEASE, DON`T!
CAN I TRUST YOU?
FOREVER, REALLY, FOREVER!
OATHS ENGRAVED IN THE WATER...

OBEY!
AS A CHILD, OR AN IDIOT
WHO FOLLOWS THE LAWS
OF THE XXXX OTHERS?
QUICKSANDS HAVE JUST ONE
UNRELENTING GOAL.
BON VOYAGE, MON AMOUR...

FIGHT!
THAT INVISIBLE ENEMY
NESTLED BEHIND THOSE
GORGEOUS, FALSE, SHARP
SMILES

IN ORDER TO CONQUER THE FUTURE: AND DESTROY IT!
I GO BACK -ONCE MORE- INTO THE ABYSS OF MY NOTHING.
YOU KNOW
THE DEAD HAVE THE VIRTUE OF LOOKING LIKE EACH OTHER.

IT SEEMS LIKE YESTERDAY
WE WERE CHILDREN
AND PLAYING AT RUNNING
AFTER EACH OTHER;
YOU WOULD OFTEN LOCK ME
IN THE DARK CELLAR,
AND I IMPLORED:
"PLEASE OPEN!"
I USED TO RUN TRAMPLING ON
THE LITTLE HEADS
-CUT OFF-
SPREAD RIPE ON THE LAWN
WE HAD NO MOTHER
SO WE`RE TAKING TURNS
IN BEING HER.
YOU WERE VISITING MY DREAMS
LEAVING TO SNOW
THROUGH ALMOST
CLOSED FINGERS
GLITTERING CRYSTALS
OF VERGINAL ILLUSIONS.

TIME SEEMED OUR BROTHER
UNTIL THE DEADLY NIGHT
TWISTED, I PRESERVED YOU
-JEALOUSLY- BESIDE ME.
GELID, ADORNED WITH
THE DAMNED CLOTHS
OF THE SUDDEN
SILENCE....
....WHILE
DREAMFUL...
....I OFFERED YOU
A SMILE....
....IN A SUSPENDED FLASH
THE SPIRIT....
....WAS PLUCKED AWAY
BY THE....
....SACRILEGE OF FATAL ARMS!

FOREVER!
REMEMBER?
FOREVER!
I KEPT THE SECRET

"WHERE IS THE BRIDE?"
"FORSAKEN HIM!"
"FLEEING THE DECEIVED"
"LEFT HIM ALONE!"

TALK, TALK
YOU FOOLS!

FOREVER I WANTED
STILL, LIFELESS AND EMPTY
THE SHADOW OF YOU
TO LIE ON
THE BRIDAL COUCH
WHERE YOU LAUGHED
ASTONISHED
MINDING THE TALES
BIZARRE AND CONTORTED
I TOLD YOU EVERY NIGHT
PRIOR TO SUBMITTING
TO THE EMPIRE OF THE DARK.

MORS AT SUAE COHORTIS LUDUS:
"ANATHEMA, ANATHEMA TIBI!"
ARCANI VIS ET NATURA:
"ANATHEMA, ANATHEMA TIBI!"

THEY WHO KNOW, DO NOT SPEAK!
THEY WHO TALK, DO NOT KNOW!
"MALEDICTUS! MALEDICTUS!"

WE ARE JUST SKETCHES OF MEN
CAUGHT IN A WICKED VORTEX
WHERE TERTIUM NON DATUR
BETWEEN BEING GOD
OR BEING DAMNED.

BUT, AFTER ALL,
ISN`T IT TRUE THAT
AN INAUDIBLE SUGGESTION,
AN INEFFABLE REMORSE,
A SECRET INSTINCT
REVEAL THE IMPURITY
HIDDEN IN SUCCESS,
THE VULGARITY OF VICTORY,
THE FILTH NESTLING
IN FORTUNE:
PURE PURITY
ABSOLUTE CATHARSIS,
IS IN MISADVENTURE,
IN TRAGEDY,
IN ONE`S INELUCTABLE
CHECK MATE.

AND WHEN THE LIGHTS DIM
AND FALLS SLOWLY THE CURTAIN,
I RETURN TO DANCE IN A RING
WITH THE SKELETON MAN
AND THE BEARDED LADY,
THE BIRD-BOY AND
THE LAUGHING DWARF;
AMONG DRAGONS
AND AVENGING ANGELS,
WINGED MAIDENS
AND HERDS OF BLIND MEN
WHO BARK
WITH OPEN WIDE ORBITS
TAKING ME AT LAST
TO THE WORLD WHERE
UNCERTAINTY DOES NOT EXIST.

IN HEAVEN. OR UNDERGROUND.


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Sacrilegium
_____________
by Q.D.Nguyen

"Music is a form of art". You cannot fully appreciate this statement without
having heard music by Devil Doll. This statement especially applies to Devil
Doll's third CD: "Sacrilegium". The CD contains one song of about 55 minutes,
after which there are several minutes of silence followed by an funeral
complete with priest and sounds of dirt falling on the coffin. After there is
some text being spoken backwards. Aside from the extremely characteristic
singing of the lead singer : Mr. Doctor, their is some Gregorian choir, folk
music, accordions, violins, piano's, tuba's (!) and much more.
After an impressive opening, there is some Gregorian choir in Latin. After
this the real stuff begins. Here Mr. Doctor takes the lead for the next 25
minutes, telling the tale and setting the scene's mixed with some very nice
musical interludes. I especially like the tuba's. In musical terms this
section is not as good as "Eliogabalus" but it's much more artistic. There's
an overall dark, intense, almost morbid, atmosphere, which is greatly
increased by Mr. Doctor's "acting". Here the story takes the upper hand.
After this section the music speeds up with an semi metal interlude which is
very good. After this the overall pace is higher, but very variant. The
music takes an more prominent place. There are fast sections intertwined with
some Devil Doll chorus, some more semi metal and some almost comical pieces
of music. It builds up until the finale where the whole Devil Doll chorus
sings as one voice : " Sacrilegium"

According to my interpretation of the lyrics the story tells of a man who at
the end of his life looks back upon it. When he knows he's going to die, he
doesn't care about his life, looking back upon certain events, his true
character and intents come up. At the end he accepts fate and let god take
over, deciding if he should go to heaven or to hell. "Where uncertainty does
not exist, in heaven or underground" as Mr. Doctor put's it. An interesting
note is that at the last piece of music you hear an rope-pulling match as if
God and Satan are pulling him between heaven and hell.

As I said before this is really a work of art. Is it better then Eliogabalus?
Well, it's different, the emphasis lies more on the story telling. I really
regret that my knowledge of Latin is to poor for me to translated some of
the Latin lyrics. There is incredible atmosphere and feeling in the music. As
with the previous albums this one's unique. I can't wait to hear "Day of
Wraith" there next album




When you're really into prog you're always looking for something new, something which you would like to discover long before any of your friends do. In the sudden re-interest of the genre there are so many upcoming bands that you get many a chance to find such a band but you only get a once-in-a-lifetime chance to discover and explore something really unique, something extremely precious, something breathtaking and 100 % genuine!
by John Bollenberg

That something is called DEVIL DOLL, a combination of progressive rock, thrash metal, punk and classical music and just like the mysterious situation which still hangs around the RESIDENTS, you don't really know who DEVIL DOLL really is! DEVIL DOLL is the brain of one super original mind, someone we can call a classic composer from the new age, someone that calls himself Mr. Doctor.

Throughout all of his albums, Mr. Doctor weaves his obsession with theatrical black and white horror sceneries. In the middle of the bombastic music he places his operatic eerie vocals as inaccessible as possible!

Founded in March 1987 there originally is a DEVIL DOLL active in Venice, Italy and one in Ljubljana, Yugoslavia. At the end of the year Mr. Doctor records his first album of which he wants to press only one copy. His wish is granted and in February'88 only one copy of "The mark of the beast" is pressed, housed in a sleeve handpainted by the brain, Mr. Doctor himself! Based on the British television series The Prisoner, rehearsals begin for the new project to be called 'The girl who was death'. In march 1989 a small quantity of 500 vinyl copies are pressed. During DEVIL DOLL's second concert Mr. Doctor distributes 150 copies of the album throughout the audience. The remaining 350 copies are destroyed! This rare first pressing is the only one to feature both the intro and outro based on The Prisoner's theme, music which will be omitted from all forthcoming re-releases thus making the original very rare and extremely sought after!

On august 18th, Mr. Doctor performs his own versions of 14 songs by German composer Hans Eisler. The scheduled vinyl album 'Mr. Doctor sings Hans Eisler' only reaches the test pressing stage and all future release is completely abandoned. In may 1990 the first vinyl pressing of 'Eliogabalus' is issued in a die-cut theatre cover in a limited run of only 50 copies! In 1991 due to the war situation in Yugoslavia.. Mr. Doctor decides to join both DEVIL D0LL bands into one. In December recordings for the new album begin whilst the DEVIL DOLL fanclub welcomes it's 1000th member! In March the next year the band perform the entire new album 'Sacrilegium' whilst incorporating segments from the film 'The sacrilege of fatal arms' which has been written and directed by Mr. Doctor.

In July 1993 DEVIL DOLL enters the Tivoli studios in Ljubljana to record the new album provisionally called 'Dies Irae (the day of wrath)'. Unfortunately whilst Mr. Doctor is mixing the album a fire breaks out destroying the entire studio ... and the tapes! Unannounced, the band plays concerts in Venice and Ljubljana in June '94 to perform material from 'Dies Irae' and newly to be recorded work. In August, the Hurdy Gurdv label reaches an agreement with American based Renaissance records to re-release all four titles on a limited run of 1000 copies issued as picture discs. To top it all a very limited set is released on 333 copies containing all four discs in an embroidered pouch with a special booklet personally inscribed by the mystery man himself Mr. Doctor. Selling at $100 it surely is not the cheapest release but apart from the superb music you can see it as a safe investment because 333 copies world-wide will make this one of the must haves in years to come. At present DEVIL DOLL is re-recording the 'Dies Irae' album, which should be released very soon now.

-In May 1994, Record Collector magazine did a feature on Devil Doll (page 143). Practically all of the band's releases have values of ?20, ?30 and even more placed next to them although if you contact the fanclub you can still obtain most of the material at around ?12. Record collector has it about the 'pre-empted' vinyl fanclub edition of "Sacrilegium" which I strangely enough more than one year later was able to buy a mint copy of through the fanclub. So do get in touch with the DEVIL DOLL fanclub c/o Rossana Pistolato at the following address: San Marco 5499, 30124 Venezia, Italy. Don`t forget to include an IRC. In return you will receive a complete list of what's available together with the prices. From the fanclub you can also buy some unique limited DEVIL DOLL T-shirts! For your information: one pound equals 2350 lire (check Your bank for exact amount) If you want to by yourself an early Christmas present then by all means buy one of the 333 (half of the devil?) limited sets from Michael Piper at The wild places, 621 'A' Hanover street, Santa Cruz, CA 95062, USA. Hurry because he might be sold out very soon! You can give him a ring on (408)427-3043 or fax (408)427-0643. You won't regret it!

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--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note from the pagemaintainer! Do keep in mind that this article was written a few years ago, most likely sometime in 1995. The CD versions should still be obtainable, but as far as I know the vinyls are sold out. Nevertheless, it doesn`t hurt to ask about them. Maybe you are lucky enough to get what you seek.




Reviews/Description from




THE GIRL WHO WAS DEATH CD (1989)

Devil Doll is one of the top Progressive bands in the world today. With these new USA pressings from Renaissance we can only hope their music becomes more popular. Note that most of these reissues feature new packaging designed by Mr Doctor. (Not that we would have seen the original copies in NZ, but if you should be lucky enough to have a copy/ies look after them because their value will soar). So who are Devil Doll ?......well read on. "The Girl Who Was Death" is a conceptual work based around 'The Prisoner' television series starring Patrick McGoohan (now a cult classic). Each section of the composition corresponds to one of the shows 17 episodes. The music embodies the same dark energy that permeates the later Devil Doll albums. What is interesting about the early Devil Doll sound is that it has more of a subtle rock approach. It's hard to imagine Mr Doctor actually singing lyrics as opposed to his usual tortured recitation, but on "The Girl Who Was Death" he actually does sing on occasions. The music features a throbbing Paganotti-like bass-line over a broad symphonic approach. Like "Eliogabalus", this album features exquisite violin, guitar and piano from the assortment of Italian and Yugoslavian musicians that emcompass the sect of Devil Doll. On this particular recording there is even a larger sound with the addition of harp, keyboards and choir. Overall what you get here is a D.D. that rocks out a bit more than on the later albums, but every bit as intense.

ELIOGABALUS CD (1990)

Eliogabalus is an incredible blending of diverse musical elements. Mr Doctor combines the avant garde stylings of OPUS AVANTRA, the classical influences of BANCO Del MUTUO SOCCORSO, and the vocal and lyrical intensity of VAN DER GRAAF GENERATOR. It consists of two long tracks. It was picked by many prog experts as the release of 1991.

SACRILEGIUM CD (1992)

"Sacrilegium" is perhaps the meisterwerk of the band. It is one continuous 47 minute track that really pushes the outer barrier of progressive rock. Perhaps inspired by Brian Lumley's Necroscope novels, Mr Doctor sings from the perspective of a dead person in the grave, reflecting back on his life. The music is almost unnerving and as you would expect from the subject matter, the vocals are beyond intense. Essential and Recommended.

THE SACRILEGE OF FATAL ARMS CD (1993)

The Sacrilege of Fatal Arms was originally released for the Devil Doll fan club. This is a reworked and expanded version of "Sacrilegium". Both are essential albums to own. If you want to hear a progressive rock band on the cutting edge, look no further.

DIES IRAE (THE DAY OF WRATH) CD (1996)

Devil Doll is certainly one of the best progressive bands in existence. The band is led by the mysterious Mr Doctor who's intense gutteral vocals are guaranteed to induce shivers. Their music combines avant garde stylings, classical influences, vocal and lyrical intensity and on this long delayed new release slightly more rock lines. This is a monumental work. The group has incorporated an orchestra as well as a female soprano to share vocals with Mr Doctor. The scope of the album is on a much grander level than the previous recordings. The sound quality is incredible - this CD has a huge, larger than life sound. I could write pages about this band to try and sell it to you but I think the easiest way to give you an idea of the power and quality of this European band is to say that three times I have sold their music after people have heard only five minutes of the music. This band is on the cutting edge of todays new progressive revival. For those interested Devil Doll have a fanclub.

Write to:

THE DEVIL DOLL FANCLUB
SAN MARCO 5499 30124
VENEZIA
ITALY.
(All replies in English)

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MUSIC DATABASE
Done by Phil Kime

Artist: Devil Doll
Title: The Girl Who Was ... Death
Length: 66 mins
Year: 1988
Label: Hurdy Gurdy
Cat: HG 1
Origin: Italy/Slovenia
Format: 1xCD

Tracks:
1.The Girl Who Was ... Death

Review:

Their first album, this is more rock oriented than later material although, like the later, such parts are tasteful and brief. The album is a 20th Anniversary homage to the cult English TV series "The Prisoner". The CD is 66:06 minutes long (6 is a significant number in `The Prisoner') of which only 39 minutes or so is actual music. The rest is silence until about 63:00 when one finds the intro credits to the series followed by a rock version of the title music. The music on the disc is high quality for a debut. Darkly atmospheric blends of accordion, violin, piano and harp puntuated with appropriate rock elements in places. Mr Doctor actually sings occasionally rather than the angst-ridden vocal style he adopts for the dureation on later albums. It is quite difficult to say anything particularly useful about the music as it is really rather eclectic and original. Classical sounding in places, choral, folky and rock in others. This album shows diversity within a common framework of approach that really matures with later releases. Definitely a worthwhile album.


Artist: Devil Doll
Title: Sacreligium
Length: 59 mins
Year: 1991
Label: Hurdy Gurdy
Cat: HG 7
Origin: Italy/Slovenia
Format: 1xCD

Tracks:
1.Sacreligium

Review:

Quite similar in a lot of respects to Eliogabalus, this is a tour-de-force of the blend of gothic diversity that made said album so interesting. Here we have the story of a man looking back over his life from the grave. The album is actually about 45 minutes while the CD contains an extra 13 or so of silence puntuated in the middle with what sounds like a recording of the closing stages of a funeral from inside the coffin ... the sound of the priest, crows in the distance and the shoveled earth hitting the lid above. Climaxing in a demonic sounding voice chanting some lines backwards, all very dramatic. The music is, as before, a mixture of piano interludes, nicely crafted waltz-like themes, sinister folk music snippets and even more tortured and varied vocals from Mr Doctor. He tells the story in many different voices which creates an intense atmosphere. This album builds up until the finale which includes a gothic choir singing in Latin. I think I should try your patience dear reader to describe the album in more detail as it is most similar to Eliogabalus in style. Peruse the review of the latter at your leisure. This is quite a unique album and shows that Devil Doll certainly have something new and interesting to offer.






Devil Doll - "Sacrilegium" - 1992


Members:
Mr. Doctor - Man of Thousand Voices
Francesco Carta - piano
Roberto Dani - drums
Sasha Olenjuk - violin
Bor Zuljan - guitar
Davor Klaric - keyboards
Michel Fantini Jesurum - pipe organ
with:

Damir Kamidoullin - cello
Matej Kovacic - accordion
Paolo Zizich - Duet "Talk Talk" with Mr. Doctor

The Devil chorus conducted by Marian Bunic:

Paolo Zizich
Marian Bunic
Polona Sever
Beti Strencan
Breda Bunic
Gregor Oblak
Jure Strencan
Boris Kurent
Mojca Sojer
Mr. Doctor