Scarlet 2015
Turin trio hit the final stage of their turning and take off laughing out loud.
Finally, a band who understand the entertaining factor of heavy metal! More so, there’s suspicion they don’t even care whether it’s metal at all as long as it’s got hooks, and “Imago” serves these in spades. Strategically placing “The Comedian” – a glossy piece that gets the ensemble’s message straight – well down the line – they wrap opener “Si(g)ns” in misleading seriousness, but a frown is thrown out the window once soul inflections crawl into Federico Mondelli’s voice and guitar riffs.
The eerie flow of “The House Of The Dead Snow” and “24”, which introduces a delicious vaudeville to the mix before bending into a biting blues shape, only go to show the stylistic integrity of it all. Marco Verdone’s bass and Paul Canetti’s drums unfold a sleek groove to bring a funk attack of “The Fall” to the dancefloor, while “Dust In Hoffman” demonstrates a chart allure even without the pun its title packs, so move over, MAROON 5, as there are new contenders on the chopping block! That’s why triumph reigns over “One Man Wolfpack”: the hunt is on.
****1/3
