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Rating: I concept albums, especially those with a solid and well-defined concept, have always appealed to me.
This "V.I.T.R.I.O.L." piqued my curiosity precisely because it is built around an uncommon theme like alchemy, especially in the realm of electronic music. Moreover, its duration, under 15 minutes, convinced me that I wouldn't waste too much time on it if it wasn't up to par. So I listened to it, and... well, those were 15 minutes well spent!
If you decide to listen to it, take a look at the informational PDF that comes with it, which is very useful for grasping the meaning of the tracks.
Here's a brief overview anyway.
Track 1
The basic idea on which the entire EP is based is that the alchemist, through his experiments and chemical transformations, manages to combine spirituality and magic, in an attempt to transform into something superior. A sort of evolved man, who gradually reaches an ever-higher level of consciousness as his work progresses, particularly with the transformation of lead into gold, i.e., the creation of the famous philosopher's stone.
The first track is inspired by the start of the search, the discomfort that pushes the alchemist to leave classical science and instead delve into a dark field where everything is yet to be discovered and anything is possible. The piece features dark atmospheres and deep sounds, symbolic of the transitional moment and the entry into uncharted territory. The basic theme consists of long, full-bodied sounds, interspersed with varied effects, making the track interesting and saving it from monotony.
Track 2
The second track is very short, about a minute long, and refers to the transition from the dark start of the adventure to the beginning of a different phase. It's a moment of decision, where one chooses whether to continue on the path or leave it forever.
The very particular sound of the track, sometimes slightly off-key, and the lack of precise distinctions between loops, is significant of the indecision and delicate balance.
Track 3
The third track changes the scenario completely. The idea it is based on is sudden illumination, the simple and immediate understanding that pervades the mind in a flash, leaving behind a sense of wonder, lightness, and amazement.
The piano, with its simple and delicate loop, accompanied by distant voices, perfectly conveys the bright and rarefied atmosphere of the piece.
In my opinion, it's perhaps the most original track of the four.
Track 4
The fourth track concludes the album, revisiting the initial theme. Upon reaching this stage, the alchemist has unveiled a new world, a new way of thinking and interpreting life, hence the return to the initial loops is here enriched with new sounds, inflections, and rhythms not yet heard, retracing the path from the beginning in a completely new perspective.
Perhaps it is the most complete piece of the album.
In conclusion, "V.I.T.R.I.O.L." is a well-crafted album, with pleasant sounds, that invites reflection, to allow yourself to be carried away, to wander without preconceptions among new atmospheres that are all to be explored. The reduced duration also saves it from repetitiveness and makes it cohesive and strong in its idea.
A refined product, which I recommend!
(The high-quality tracks and the printed CD are available for sale on iTunes, Amazon, and similar, but I listened to it streaming on Bandcamp.)
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