Wow! That is one piece of darkened art and experimentation. This is what I can say after listening to Francesco Bucci‘s new solo opus. Francesco is known as a founder of Ottone Pesante. Due to stop of activities because of covid pandemia, Francesco decided to experiment and create new songs with trombone and tuba and here they are in form of an opus containing seven songs. Besides wish to make music, tragedy also made an impact on creation of this album with personal loss of brother. Since I lost my sister and know how does it feel, I can totally relate to the darkened vibe of this album which was recorded live without loops or overdubs, just raw music. Francesco even plays tuba which his brother used to play. How does this sound? Those are instrumentals and to me they are atmospheric mix of dark ambient, dungeon synth played by tuba and trombone and Morricone’s soundtracks. Epic and melodic, but also eerie and haunting with some dark humor thrown in like in song called ‘Now I understand why Chuck Shuldiner called his band Death’. This is only English song title rest are Italian. Yes, I forgot, some songs also remind me of soundtracks to Italian giallo and horror movies by Argento or Bava. My personal favorites are ‘La marcia dei soldatini’ and ‘Il disperato cercarti nel fondo di un tuba’. If you are into something different try this one.
Remy Verreault is a musician based in Quebec and this is his seventh release, this time with High End Denim Records. Remy has been in the scene playing in such heavy hitters as We Love Danger, Wrong Advice, and most recently, Mark & The Wolves, but he decided to do something different and this thirteen songs are here to prove that. Yes, this is nineties influenced melodic punk rock/hardcore with no complicated riffs or philosophy, just melancholic and melodic punk hardcore heading your way with mainly fast songs, some mid tempo punk anthems topped with Remy’s excellent bit higher than most vocalists voice that fits perfectly to the songs. Backing vocals and harmonies are perfect too! Lyrics are personal and deal with everyday themes that everyone of us can relate to and songs like ‘In Order To’, or ‘Little Prince’ are about to win you over for sure, but you will have to listen to this album and other Remy’s work to find your favorites. Mine are also ‘Pisses Me Off’ and ‘Strange Times’ and above all ‘Stay Strong’. Damn, that’s already half of the album. Great one indeed!
Chronic Reflux are hailing from Florida and this is their new EP containing 6 songs. ‘I’m Tired’, – instrumental showcase of band’s tight musicianship with nice guitar solos and weird melody that stays in your ear. ‘The Runner and The Chaser’ is a melodic punk rock song with catchy guitar melody and impressive lyrics about burning bridges between something you chase and something you are, at least I understood it that way. Vocals are great, clean and very articulate and all song brings kind melancholy, especially guitar solo, making it one of my personal favorites on this record. ‘The Well Adjusted Cannot Be Trusted’ is mid tempo punk rock song that sounds more aggressive and angry, especially in the vocal lines, bordering between angry screaming, clean singing and sad, I love how song turns into fast hardcore punk in the end. ‘Feels The Same’ continues in angry direction with stop and go, weird and eerie melody and also theme about repetition and boredom. ‘There Is No Future’ takes us back into more pop punk and emo influenced waters and gentle melody haunts you while listening to the song. ‘Kissing Me’ is a garage demo version but still continues in that lovely pop punk direction and I am eager to wait for full length one day, or more EP’s.
KRAYKULLA-WEBZINE 