Amepantin
Pantin

Amepantin. Are We All Puppets?

After releasing "Burned Flowers" (2006), "Goodbye" (2007), and "The King Of Tramps" (2009), Enrico Carrino, also known as Ame, returns with a new musical project in collaboration with Anacleto "K.Lone" Vitolo.

Even from their choice of name, Amepantin, there is a clear reference to puppets and the sense of alienation that characterizes the static nature of human life. A reference that, as will be seen, is found throughout the album.

"Pantin" is characterized primarily by a dirty sound, achieved through the sound manipulation by Anacleto (drums) and by the lyrics, for the first time in Italian, by Carrino on guitars.

The concept album opens with the instrumental "Golem," which in Hebrew means "shapeless mass" or "still without form," because it is not infused with a soul, but in a modern version, it also stands for a robot or an anthropomorphic giant that follows the orders of its creator, becoming a kind of slave.

Their whole album indeed plays on the extraordinary homogenizing force of human society, and even the militaristic rhythm of the first track directs the record towards that human void generated by those who want us to be identical to each other every day, or to someone else. TV, advertising, models, products on supermarket shelves. The references can be infinite, but the ultimate meaning of stereotyping can be found throughout their work.

Among other tracks is "L'Equilibrista," an industrial track with a sound very close to that of Nine Inch Nails and the fierce "Clandestino" with its compelling rhythm.

"Puntini," on the other hand, is an acoustic piece that, with its "tell me what you really own," played in repetition, makes us reflect on the ephemeral value of things in a use and throw society. Within the track, there is a tribute to Luciano Pavarotti, with a small excerpt from the classic "Nessun Dorma."

The core of the album is still "Automa Meccanico," a beautiful fresco of postmodern society, where the narrating voice of Paolo Langella, observing the grayness of the outside world, leads us on an inner journey and makes us want to be air.

Lastly, we find "Santiago," which would seem to be sung by Cristiano Godano of Marlene Kunts, and "Pantin," an instrumental track that closes the album.

Listen to:

I: Automa Meccanico

II: Clandestino

III: Puntini

For me

In headphones, I enjoyed the group's sound noise, even if it was my partner who insisted I put them on to listen to the CD! De gustibus...

Maybe my past "gothic" phase never suited her taste, but who knows, maybe listening to "Puntini," she will change her mind. We'll see.

For me, anyway, the pleasure of listening to emerging music is unique. It provokes an emotion that a chart-topping CD cannot always provide. Like exchanging a CD with a distant acquaintance or listening to music in your own armchair at home. You can savor it, as you savor something that feels close to you. Even though in this case, for my partner, it will always remain noise!