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Rating: First concert in Italy for 30 Seconds To Mars, an American band composed of brothers Jared and Shannon Leto, respectively vocals/guitar and drums, Tomo Milicevic, guitar, and Tim Kelleher, bass. They don't like to categorize themselves into any of the musical genres attributed to them, such as emo-core, glam-rock, or nu-metal; more simply, they manage to reinterpret some ideas from their predecessors or contemporary artists in a very original and interesting way, such as Nirvana, Incubus, Linkin Park.
They appeared at the Metarock in Pisa with a significant delay, more due to logistical and climatic reasons than by their own will. The intro with Carmina Burana, in its solemn and cruel singing, set the stage for what was hoped to be a better concert, both in duration and quality.
The first song on the setlist was A Beautiful Lie, the title track of their second album: initially, Jared Leto's voice did not convince, he missed the notes and relied on the chorus of the audience who always supported him willingly. Moreover, the backing tracks of the first songs performed were not up to the execution, despite all the optimizations made by the technicians.
Following that was Battle of One, one of the most energetic and synthetic tracks on the album, where the frontman jumps, dances, and thrashes, regularly and faithfully going to his brother Shannon on drums, perhaps seeking validation and approval.
Finally comes From Yesterday, announced by the band leader in a genuinely emotional tone; one of the most beautiful tracks on the album, a sort of inner journey, a mystical crisis expressed first with sweetness and then with anger: indeed, the vocal passages are interesting, so sudden from harmonious to "screaming," with the echo playing its good part.
Much better the ballads, through which Jared Leto's voice finally reveals itself as it really is: velvety, fluid, but also striking for its power and range. In fact, for the introspective and poetic The Story and Savior, the execution was flawless, as well as for Praying for a Riot (on the CD it’s the ghost track that starts after the 12’ of A Modern Myth).
Delving into the performances of the other musicians, I emphasize the grit of Shannon Leto on drums, but also the lack of coordination of newcomer Tim, the replacement of Matt Wachter on bass; finally, the faithful Tomo Milicevic maintained a good level as second guitar. Unfortunately, due to lack of time (the indestructible Afterhours were to take the stage), the concert ended with The Fantasy, in which the first line leaves no doubt about what was said earlier, regarding the influences of other artists: "With the lights out it’s a little less dangerous" a clear homage to Nirvana. We missed out live on great pieces like R-Evolve, A Modern Myth and especially no track from the first album, like the energetic debut single Capricorn (A Brand New Name), the roaring Fallen or the cryptic Buddha for Mary.
A band that needs to grow a lot, in terms of live experiences; probably all the setbacks and inaccuracies are also due to the recent line-up change, considering the departure of bassist Matt Wachter and the quick entry, for touring needs, of Tim Kelleher. Probably Jared Leto continues to be more famous as an actor (co-star in films of the caliber of Alexander, or Lord of War, and in numerous independent productions), but through music with 30 Seconds To Mars he has given space to the artistic aspirations he kept hidden, and which he realized thanks to his brother, the various musicians who collaborated on the project, and a skillful studio production.
Good promises.
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