Dope Stars Inc.
Neuromance

"See that guy over there? That's the cousin of the singer from Dope Stars, they do an industry-rich sound full of synthesizers and electronics." "And who the hell are they?" "They are an Italian band but are more famous abroad, especially in Germany." "Alright, I'll give them a listen."

Not with very high hopes did I look for their first CD "Neuromance", having chatted a bit with V.Amore's cousin, (the group's leader, who calls himself Victor Love), he gave me the impression of a somewhat alternative family. I gather information from Debaser and the only review available talks about "Gigahearts" and a practically pop band, but no worries...

"Neuromance" is the band's first album, dated 2005; it starts with "10.000 Watts", a stadium-like chorus and a voice somewhat Jonathan Davis, somewhat M.Manson, but the approach is decidedly soft and as the listening progresses one realizes that the Dope Stars, before being a band, are a collection of ideas, of characters, and consequently the sonic component is somewhat set aside to make room for the artistic one. The term "Industry" given to me by my friend diminishes, to make way for a cyberpunk drugged with electronics.

The speed of "Infection 13" and the frenzy of "Generation Plastic" are also excellent, indeed they play a lot with names, always to feed that striking atmosphere created around their persona. The ideal soundtrack for a journey into hyperspace or better, for a plunge into the future, one lost in the centuries to come but still unimaginable. Year 3000, "Vyperpunk" is topping the charts, yes, it seems bleak to think about the charts but it fits, because in the end, that's what they're thinking about too, very famous in different parts of the world, yet on Wikipedia you only find info in English and German. As the listening flows, "Self Destructive Corp." stands out, and one realizes that even the lyrics ultimately accompany that apocalyptic atmosphere akin to a fourth world war.

Is everything so great? Perhaps a bit pop they are, but that's not so bad, indeed perhaps in the end, it's better that way.

Could they succeed in the beautiful country (is it truly a beautiful country)? In my opinion, no, not Italian enough.