Country of origin:Italy
Location:Riva del Garda (Trento), Trentino-South Tyrol
Status:Active

Formed in:1988
Genre:Atmospheric Ambient Doom Metal/Progressive Rock
Lyrical themes:N/A
Current label:Unsigned/independent
Years active:1988-present

DISCOGRAPHY

Trimegisto Full-length 1993
Zed Full-length 1996
Andromeda Full-length 1999
Exoterical Melange Compilation 1999
Tep Zepi: L'era degli dei Full-length 2002
Pleroma Full-length 2004
Esameron Full-length 2007
Manu Menes Full-length 2009
Ai cancelli dell'ombra Live album 2010
Le roi du monde Full-length 2011
Affreschi e meditazione Full-length 2012
Viaggio magico Live album 2014

current line up

Duano Bass (1988-1994, 2008-present)
Cahål de Bêtêl Guitars, Keyboards, Samples, Vocals (1988-present)
Tipheret Drums, Keyboards, Percussion (1994-present)
Issirias Moira Dusatti Vocals (2009-present)
Anbis-ur Electronic Piano, Keyboards (2011-present)
Re-tuz Vocals, Diplophonic voices, Obliquitions (2011-present)

PAST MEMBERS

Maahnt Drums (1988-?)
Mimïr de Bennu Guitars, Vocals (1988-1991), Guitars, Keyboards (1994-1999)
Nezah Bass (1994-2003)
Vîrhür Keyboards, Samples (1995-2003)

REVIEWS

A heavenly hidden treasure. - 95%
Default_Mechanism, May 28th, 2004
Runaway Totem hails from Italy, a country that is famous not only for its opera, but now for its metal scene, particularly power and progressive metal.
On Totem's sophomore release, we see a very effective conglomeration of opera and progressive rock, which is perhaps tied together by the incredibly rich atmosphere throughout the disc.

I hesitate to call it progressive metal, actually, because the guitar tone and disposition of the music is not indicative of metal. Whereas mainstream and/or semi-mainstream rock is usually more relaxed and nonchalant than even the most unadulterated form of heavy metal, Runaway Totem actually has a sound that stands independent from all the progressive metal acts I've run across, from Lemur Voice to Symphony X. It's apparent that the objective of the band's music is not to amaze with technical flourishes and the type of musical meshing that is prevalent on metal concept albums, but to pull the listener into a vortex of sorts. In this sense, it is like doom metal, but there is still a progressive rock element to it.

The title track is 22:24, and it is excellent, but it has a tendency to drag a little. For a song this long, you have to be very inventive and think on your feet, and the band seems to retread certain musical phrases out of exasperation. The opening sequence consists of a magical horn flourish(with the trumpets in the foreground) that sounds as if it could be the music played for the coronation of a fictional king. Following suit is some basic riffing and haunting vocals a la Cahal de Betel that actually sound more akin to Viking metal vocals than operatic vocals. This same basic format continues until some awesome exotic female vocals chime in, which remind me of ethnic Indian(from the nation of India) music. They are executed in a very rapid fashion that's pleasing to the ears. Some Toolish guitar whining and ambience follows and the music stays at a steady pace. It's ridiculous, but this album, especially the title track, reminds me of Lateralus.

Like the members of Therion, Runaway Totem's male and female vocals play off each other very well, but the sound of them is very different. One might feel compelled to categorize the vocals themselves into a different 'genre' within symphonic music. They both sound very ancient...perhaps the audio equivalent of a ghost ship cruising down a deserted
ocean. The following Mini-moog interlude, however, gives a glimmer of sunshine to what was once grim musically. Now, Cahal sounds unabashedly operatic. Someone unfamiliar with this band may think he or she is listening to Andrea Bocelli or Luciano Pavarotti if he or she was to walk in on this section. In place of the backup female vocals is obligatorily weaker male backup vocals. Eventually, the song's pace picks up and stays that way for most of the rest of the song, with much idiosyncratic guitar work and vocal harmonies. All in all, we have a masterpiece beginning an album, which seems to be uncommon.

The following song, Mnar, runs 26:28 and is generally more low-key than its predecessor. You can tell just by the way it begins that its objective is more to pull you into the band's(and/or the album's) world than to make a cocky opening statement. Choppy, yet serene drumming begins the album, with new age atmospherics and an ominous syncopated synth rhythm in the background. Once again, the band rules in favor of highly extending the exposition in preparation for the set 'milestones' and climax of the music. Like Liquid Tension Experiment, there is an overwhelming sense of free structure and improvisation to the music. The band leads you to believe that they answer to no one and they will play a certain melody for as long as they wish. Despite that, there still appears to be much variation.

It's interesting because the extended nature of the guitar soloing and the many different effects being used are reminiscent of shred metal in the vein of Lars Eric Mattsson...since there doesn't seem to be a concreteness to the music often, it's as if the guitarist is just fretting down the fretboard with abandon; however, the subtle, atmospheric nature of the music isn't lost.

Disappointingly, the female vocals are less prevalent on this song, but it really doesn't matter too much. What it lacks in female performance, Cahal makes up for. Also to be found here are small piano sections that give the song more of a realistic, romantic sound; not to mention that riffing again that makes me think of Lateralus, but coupled with enough freaky sound effects to please the Devil Doll fan in everyone.

Wow, what I can say? They've done it again. First they gave me Novembre(whom I already enjoy more than Opeth, by the way), then they give me Mr. Doctor(the band is based in Slovenia, but Mr. Doctor is Italian), and now Runaway Totem, a band I happened to come across on the band website directory of progressiveworld.net. Italy is on a roll. Expect more reviews for this band in the future. This is fantastic stuff...better than the Dream Theaters of the world in some respects.