Spiritual Front is a neofolk band from Rome. Its members describe their music as "nihilist suicide pop", [1] although elements of neoclassical and rock music are prevelant, along with a recurring experimental feel.

The band began in 1999 as a project fronted by Simone Salvatori (a.k.a. "Hellvis"), a guitarist and singer from Italy, and has since worked extensively with other projects in the same genre of neofolk, along with releasing their own music to the public.

Musical Style

Spiritual Front's so-called "Mafia-Folk" (see Themes) has been in release since 1999, in which time Simone Salvatori, the lyricist and conceptualist behind SF, has been known to create a unique feel within their traditionally folk style. Their most noticeable recurring output is Simone's charismatic playing of the acoustic guitar [2], along with martial drum beats characteristic of the neofolk genre. Slow and often melancholic vocals (leaning towards dark folk) are often contrasted with cabaret-like, somewhat comedic "swing-singing" and are reminicent of swing revival sound (particularly noticeable in their album Nihilist Cocktails For Calypso Inferno), showing the absolute dichotomy of Salvatori's compositions. Emotional piano chords are also frequently featured, with occasional violin playing and solos.

The use of field recording is also apparent in many of Spiritual Front's albums, often attributing an ambient feel to their work.
Themes

The themes of focus in Spiritual Front's music often seem to be quite personal to Salvatori's life, but also show slight focus on life in general, and meanings found within it. Various intimate relationships are examined in portions of what seem to be Simone's memories, and the reasons and purposes for and behind these loves as well. Sex, sexual abasement, and degredation in general are topics frequently adressed, with lyrics often linking the phrases "sperm" and "blood", pointing out the suffering caused by both sex and love.

Spiritual Front's genre has been satirized as "Mafia-Folk", due to the origin of the band in Italy, an uncommon place in Europe to find neofolk originating in musical projects.