Calabrese
13 Halloweens

The Calabrese are a trio of brothers (whose last name really is Calabrese, unlike, for example, the Ramones) who define themselves on their website: (without exceeding in modesty) "the best horror rock band on the planet."

Not in history, as I believe they are well aware that the best horror rock (punk) ensemble in history were the legendary Misfits, at least until Glenn Danzig's departure, and on this statement, I think that even on this site where controversies and discussions often arise over trivial matters, no one will disagree (maybe someone will bring up the Cramps who, however, were not 100% horror/punk (quite the opposite) like the four from New Jersey were).

Returning to our three little brothers hailing despite their Italian surname from the very hot Arizona in the USA, we can say that with this debut album "13 Halloweens," they deliver a more than satisfying album for genre lovers and that despite the heavy debt to the aforementioned Misfits, their sound manages to be fresh and sufficiently personal.

The album is devilishly fun, the Misfits-like influence is heard in the lyrics, of course, but especially in the choruses characterized by screamed yet strongly melodic vocals that fans of "Legacy of Brutality" and "Walk Among Us" will find familiar and will surely appreciate. Yes, because the Calabrese manage to take the best melodic vein of the group led by Danzig and graft it onto strong punk rock foundations that find occasional metal infusions, which do not ruin the sound (no offense to metallers) but rather make it more cohesive.

All the songs (guess how many there are...? 14...) are introduced by clips from old forgotten horror films that turn out to be entertaining, like every single episode of this debut, in fact, although they do not disdain sinister atmospheres, they certainly do not fall into a sad and claustrophobic dark heaviness.

The Calabrese certainly don't take themselves too seriously (something that the Misfits did and do today, along with Jerry Only and whoever plays with him at the moment) and ultimately, it's better this way. Doing a track by track seems pointless; the songs flow more or less along the same lines characterized by the sounds I mentioned before, some more fast-paced, some less so, the vocals of the two singers (guitarist and bassist) are powerful and, why not, very evocative. I quote the initial trio "Zombie I," "Resurrection," and "Death of Me," really engaging and powerful, and "Midnight Creep Show" with its slow intro characterized by splendid choruses.

Ultimately, nothing to shout a miracle for, but certainly a record that captured me from the first listen, something that doesn't happen to me often.

A very unknown group here that I discovered by chance and wanted to present to you to know what you think (I'll also include a couple of samples or at least try). What can I say, highly recommended album to which I give 4 stars for the deep joy I feel every time I listen to it.

Finally, I quote the intro with which the album begins: "Good midnight to you, you are here at the invitation of The Young American Mystic Cult of Horrors."

P.S. I consider this my review even though I've written two others (Turbonegro, Buzzcocks) as I wrote the second one in disastrous conditions (alcohol and more...) during a period when my life was somewhat going down the drain. For the aforementioned review that was quite sloppily written, I was indeed savagely lambasted, also because the album in question was of certain historical relevance, so if you come across it, just ignore it, ciao ciao.