Adramelch
Irae Melanox

The album in question that I am about to review is, in my opinion, one of the best Heavy Metal records ever released in Italy.

Originally produced in 1988 solely as vinyl, this first and only record has over time reached staggering valuations, especially in Germany and Greece, countries that have traditionally always followed the bands of the old-school Epic Metal with interest. While it's true that abroad this Milanese formation has become a true Cult band to be respected and remembered, the same cannot be said for Italy, which apparently ignored them entirely. Fortunately, this timeless masterpiece was recently reissued on Compact Disc, allowing everyone to savor the fruits and sacrifices of a valuable Italian band that, in the vinyl version, had a black and white cover due to lack of money!!! This is to show how difficult it was to play Metal and get recognized in Italy in the '80s.

The first time I heard about this band was through a vinyl compilation of various Italian bands (of which I don't remember the name...), almost all penalized by a sparse production and rather bland tracks. Yet among them, one group literally astonished me. I, who always had belittled Italian Metal (even more so nowadays... because we are too faddish, except for the exceptions, of course), had to rethink a lot thanks to this unknown formation.

The eight tracks on this optical disc are the most original, spontaneous, and genuine I've ever listened to; they're the classic songs that make you believe in miracles for their incredible perfection, for their ability to give listeners those emotions (now lost) that '80s Metal could offer, that indescribable novelty and personal touch that can't be compared to other bands like today. What I call 'Art' in Metal, the musical sophistication removed from imposed stylistic standards and clichés. Defining Adramelch’s music is no easy task... simply, they played metal in the Adramelch way!!! (and forgive me if that's not much...). Of course, the foundations and roots are there (even if revisited in a completely different and personal light) and are those of the earliest Fates Warning (when they still played rocky and baroque Metal), the more progressive Iron Maiden, and the epic Warlord. But these are useless indications; Adramelch are, at first glance, difficult to assimilate, but from the first listen, something enters your mind and heart never to part again, making each subsequent listen special.

Adramelch manage to create different sensations in each song, they are dark, gloomy, at times almost Doom, yet at the same time powerful, dynamic, and intricate, to then become melancholic and solemn, with an aura of Epicness and melody that leaves one breathless. Another mention should be made for the splendid lyrics, which have an arcane and extraordinary flavor, never banal and clichéd. Vittorio Ballerio's theatrical and expressive voice creates dark medieval visions, dreams in forgotten lands and images of glorious empires now decayed, on a musical backdrop created by the incredible Gianluca Corona, the main composer and guitarist, and the effective and precise rhythm section. What doesn't do justice to this immense band is the production not up to such mastery, due to the scarce means of the period, but this is of absolutely secondary importance. Probably some newcomer not accustomed to a rough and simple sound might wrinkle their nose... only to rethink it after a careful listen.

This record is worth a lot despite any modern production, indeed, this very characteristic that someone might point out as negative makes it even more fascinating and mysterious, as if it were an ancient relic of a remote and glorious past. For all those who consider themselves Defenders of old school, for the diehard Epic Metallers, for all those who are sick of the showy Hollywood metal, for all the metalheads who feel it deep down in their hearts and want to honor a very original Italian band that deserved Glory and not indifference...

A MUST-HAVE!