Many of us know Italy by their
cars. Ferrari, Maserati, Alfa Romeo, some of the most beautiful, exotic, and
fast cars that the world has ever known. If Ferrari could solve their Formula 1
woes, I'd be a happy guy, but that's a completely different article. Italy is famous
for music, some of it going back centuries. Some of the most soul stirring
music ever written can be found in the classical music and operas of this
country. This newest offering from Ripple Music, the latest in their
series of splits, bring us some newer vintage of Italian music.
The Italian heavy music scene is ripe with many bands creating some unique and wonderful sounds. This release brings us two of those bands, Kayleth and Favequaid. Hopefully you already know them both, but if one or both of these bands are new to you, this is a fantastic way to take the plunge and hear something outside of what you regularly listen to.
Kayleth start us off on side A. Their first track comes shimmering in like a mirage far off in the desert, which is probably appropriate, given that the track is called “Desert Caravan”. It doesn't take long, though, before the heaviness kicks in. Their style seems to be a form of heavy rock that veers a little off to the spacey side, not so much that they ever become full on psychedelic, but in a way that is a bit unique to the world of heavy. The songs are full of grooves and some most excellent guitar work, and as I said, just the right amount of trippy. I also enjoy that just when you think you know where a song is going, they turn it around and make something else entirely out of it. This is some very good stuff and you'll want to check out their other releases.
Favequaid, meanwhile, come out roaring like a top fuel dragster, daring your ears to keep up with what they are laying down. I love their singer's voice. It fits perfectly with what they are doing musically. They also throw in some tasty treats, like the bass breakdown in “Everytime”, and the guitar work on their tracks is also first rate. Did I mention the riffs? They have 'em for days, in just about every variety you would want. “Hypochondria” is a perfect example of this. You could almost call it their exercise in variations on a riff. They take the same riff, at different tempos and with some twists and turns, and make something very cool out it.
Ripple has once again struck gold with this split, matching two bands that go together very well. Check this one out and then go find some of the other awesome Italian bands out there. It's a scene that doesn't seem to be too well known but you will be very satisfied with what your research turns up.
-ODIN
