Dementia Senex
Heartworm

There’s no doubt about it, Dementia Senex is a band that, at least at present, is rather underground, but anyone living in Emilia Romagna and following the genre surely would have heard of them, considering that they are quite active in the area. For those who haven’t heard of them yet, here’s “Heartworm,” the second EP from this Cesena combo composed of three tracks in less than twenty minutes of music.

From a purely technical point of view, the EP in question presents itself more than well in every respect; the production is warm, full, and intense, all the musicians possess excellent technical skills, and the songwriting is mature and absolutely free of mistakes. I must admit that “Heartworm” surprised me, especially because the band managed to reinvent itself, abandoning the more traditionalist Death Metal and moving towards a more Post-Metal/Post-Hardcore sound that undeniably today inspires many new bands. Whether this stylistic change was planned or happened by chance, it was undoubtedly a winning choice! For fans of Lento (a well-known Roman band), Dementia Senex could definitely be an interesting acquisition, but be warned, I’m not talking about clones, absolutely not, I’m referring to genuine influences; these Romagnoli guys do their best to create their own personality.

On paper, this EP is excellent, but when it comes to music, you can’t just focus on “the paper” or the technical aspects; you need the “X” factor (if you’ll pardon the expression). So what’s the problem with “Heartworm”? Fundamentally, only one: though it is pleasant to listen to, it doesn’t leave a mark, it flows well, but it doesn’t stay in your head, that’s all.

In conclusion, Dementia Senex is a band that has everything it takes to become a kick-ass band, they just need the right spark to give that something extra. While we wait for the debut album, let’s listen to the EP. For now, full marks well deserved!