I see a certain thematic relevance between Levi's novel and Chiatro, the debut EP by Effess. The lyrics, all strictly in the local dialect, are about life in Lucania, where the routines and the banalities of everyday life and even the climate give rise to an almost existential tedium that can lead to depression despite a majestic nature. Therefore, Lucania remains a land of "social death". The sign of the blessing on the cover alludes to a people almost narcotized by the religious faith, in respect to which the ode to the pig in L'altare della sausizza represents a counterpart.
Musically speaking, Chiatro delivers a raw black metal that is at the same time both harsh and abrasive but also rich in melody. Perhaps the best track is the eponymous song in which the second part is built on an arpeggio that is very simple but able to make one shimmer, with that sense of coldness that reminds of Norwegian black metal. The structure of the songs is seemingly simple, but it reveals accuracy and expert musicianship, especially in the details, while the raw production conveys effectively the atmosphere and the message.
To conclude, Effess are probably not an innovative band from the musical point of view, but their originality is in the themes and the way these themes are approached. The EP also contains a cover of Alma Mater by Moonspell, but with original lyrics in the band's dialect. In a nutshell, a pleasant listening experience.
Notes:
Chiatro was self-released on April 19 2017. In the local dialect of the band, “Effess” is a common interjection among the local meaning approximately “fuck!” while “chiatro” translates for “coldness”.
Personnel:
Mifrá: vocals, drums
U Ross: guitars, bass
Text by Herjann
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