Last Knight, a collaborative spearheaded by Spanish producer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Jose Manuel Medina, built its reputation on ambitious projects featuring alternating lineups of international musicians performing themed albums such as Journey to the Land of the Wind (a musical journey through the Spanish land of La Mancha) and Cantabrico (an instrumental album with music inspired by the Cantabrian Sea). Now comes Seven Deadly Sins, a “rock symphony” inspired by Dante’s “The Divine Comedy” that leans heavily toward orchestral music and classic progressive rock.
Medina recruited more than 15 artists to participate in this project, including John Mitchell (Arena, It Bites) and Richie Castellano (Blue Öyster Cult) on vocals, as well as Theo Travis on woodwinds and brass.
Each of the seven tracks here is based on one of the seven deadly sins: lust, gluttony, greed, sloth, anger, envy and pride. Thus, we are treated to lyrics like this: “Let me tell you an intersting story/About a man that just wanted to eat/His belly was so big that he couldn’t see his feet/But happy he didn’t mind what people think,” from “Gluttony.” And this: “I like fleshly pleasures/Above the feelings of the weak/This is my condemnation/To be blown by strong winds,” from “Lust.” And “Anger” is probably the only song in my music collection that features the word “irascible.”
Musically, these songs reference the likes of Yes, Genesis and Barclay James Harvest, as well as at least a dozen other artists. The melodies are accessible, the storylines clear and the production nearly flawless. The big question: With seven songs spanning 70 minutes, is this too much of a good thing?
Track Listing:
1. Lust
2. Gluttony
3. Greed
4. Sloth
5. Anger
6. Envy
7. Pride
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