Dufresne
Atlantic

Listening to this debut LP from the Vicenza-based group led by Nicola Cerantola, you wouldn't think it comes straight from the Bel Paese. Rather, you'd think you have before you some established post-hardcore/emocore/metalcore band from the overseas scene to be compared with names such as Underoath and From Autumn To Ashes, with whom they share a musical approach and a strong dose of aggressiveness.

"Atlantic" (2006) can therefore be considered in every way an internationally minded product that, with 11 tracks (+ a final ghost track in the style of a soundtrack), seeks to satisfy both the Italian audience and the English-speaking share by alternating songs sung in Italian with the canonical and more reassuring English.

If Dufresne are not the only interpreters in Italy of this genre, it should be said that we have rarely seen Italian musical realities dabble in our language, and Airway and Hopes Die Last are examples at opposite ends of the spectrum.

It's probably the first time I've heard such songs sung in our language, and I must say the final effect isn't bad at all. Actually, Italian tends to enhance that mix of suffering and anger that Dufresne express well.

For example, from what has been said, consider the initial "Nexiest luces" with its remarkable emotional charge, the more melodic yet not trivial "Baba yaga", and the massive "Opera" with its hardcore charge in the DNA, but also "Un lungo sacrificio", well done in its lively structure, and "Siamo tutti illusi di essere nel giusto" where strong contrasts emerge between heavy verses and melancholic and slow choruses before an electronic tail anticipates the explosion and the final roar.

Some tracks, beyond the classic guitar-bass-drums scheme, are enriched by interesting electronic insights by Alessandro Costa that add quality: "Readymade complaints" and "Fashion kills romance", representing the more metal spirit of the quartet with its cadenced and heavy scores, are vivid examples.

Among other English tracks to note is the excellent "Root is a flower that disdain fame" among the best overall with its electronic beats that form the backdrop to a tasty and immediate refrain, "Under pressure... You retract!", and the final and articulate "A word that rimes with shame".

The most positive note of this debut is undoubtedly the desire not to be banal, and even though there are clean vocals typical of the genre, nothing is spoiled by the sterile and sickly sweet voices increasingly often stereotypes of the genre.

Another point to highlight, despite many similar productions, is the fact that the rhythms are never lowered with bland ballads or pieces good for radio airplay. The quasi-hardcore setup and shouted parts remain always at the forefront in every track, and this combined with ever-changing, never static musical structures make the product lively, not easily easy-listening, and rather quite fresh to the ear.