Spiritual Front is a neofolk band from Rome, Italy. Its members describe their music as "nihilist suicide pop", although elements of neoclassical and rock music are prevalent, 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.
Spiritual Front's so-called "Mafia-Folk" 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, 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.
AlbumsSongs For The Will - (1999)Nihilist Cocktails for Calypso Inferno - (2001)Armageddon Gigolò - (2006)Rotten Roma Casino (2010)SinglesTwin a Tin Tin Towers - (2002)No Kisses on the Mouth - (2003)EPsNihilist EP - (2003)Collaborative ReleasesSatyriasis - (2005; with Ordo Rosarius Equilibrio)Bedtime / Badtime - (2005; with Naevus)Compilation AlbumsAngel of Ashes: a Tribute to Scott Walker - (2006)