Blank
Forest began life in Udine in 2012 on the initiative of Luca Moreale
(guitar, vocals) and Valerio Simonini (keyboards) with the aim of
creating original music blending different genres. Later the line up
was completed by Michele Di Gleria (drums) and Carlo De Biaggio
(bass) and in 2014 the band self released a debut album entitled
Kayros. The title of the album refers to a word in Ancient
Greek that means "the right or the opportune moment"
and that can describe in some way the lyrical content of this
interesting work. The overall sound of the band is varied and rich,
the music swings from calm, acoustic passages to heavier moments but
without growling or screaming voices. Although the vocal parts are
not particularly theatrical nor operatic they fit the melancholic
mood of the album...
 |
| album cover |
The
long opener "Drawing Lines" starts softly and sets the
atmosphere. The music and words evoke melancholy and rage, doubts and
determination, pain and rebellion. There are many changes in rhythm,
strummed acoustic guitars passages alternate with more aggressive
electric parts while the dreamy vocals every now and again remind me
slightly of Anthony Kiedis...
Next
comes "Passion Brings The Energy" where reflective moments
alternate with fiery passages and some echoes of west coast sprinkled
with a pinch of exoticism. Suspended between past and future, life
appears different and you feel a fire burning inside under the light
of a new rising awareness...
The
following "Falling Stars" deals with roots and memories
that come back. The loss of an important person in your life can't be
the end of the world if the light of his (or her) example still
shines on you and his (or her) soul can still show the way to
follow... Then comes the introspective "Landslip", a
disquieting, diluted ballad where dreams turn into nightmares and you
can't decide what is real and what is not and where the ground is
shaking under your feet on the edge of an impending change...
 |
| Blank Forest 2014 |
The
long suite "Crystal Eyes" is the main course of the album.
At over thirty one minutes in length, this is a real epic. It's
divided into seven parts and is about growing up, trying to heal the
consequences of deep traumas, fighting day after day against ghosts
and shadows, choosing time after time between good and bad: the music
and words drive you through the psychoanalytical analysis of a broken
man, beaten by the wild winds of life, a man who now risks to burn
out, and is on the edge of suicide... Eventually the short closer
"Crucial" ends the album with a final jump into the night
on a soft piano pattern.
On
the whole, I think that this is a good album and it's really worth
listening to. Although the vocal parts might not always be convincing
and you could find some passages a bit uneven, the band have a good
potential and I'm sure they will do better in the future. Anyway,
have a try and judge by yourselves! You can listen to the complete
album HERE
More
info:
No comments:
Post a Comment