Gli Atroci
L'armata del Metallo

I don't know how to write, I was always a disaster with school essays, but reviewing albums (whether good or bad) is fun and enjoyable, as it is synonymous with "exchanging ideas." I've never contested that music is art, and that art can be made with foul language either; however, I had a little debate with diamond_darrell about his review of GemBoy, which in my opinion (admittedly I might have been a bit arrogant and didn't give much thought to "subjective taste") I consider them a group that's, how to say... just lower-tier, so to speak. They don't make me laugh, but not because I don't like swear words, but because I see in them only a lot of childish schoolboy humor and a lot of "unluckiness" in terms of musical technique, plus that Carletto who sings and dubs movies annoys me too much! There are comedic groups that deserve recognition, first among all is Elio e le Storie Tese who certainly deserve awards, and not least among these are Gli Atroci.

The band in question mainly, if not almost exclusively, satirizes metal music and enjoys great popularity among metal fans who acclaim them. In this analysis, it is their second album, "L'armata del Metallo," a very lively and playful album capable of brightening up gloomy moments. First of all, Gli Atroci: they are a group of 7 metalheads dressed "harlequinally" who mock their (and my) favorite genre, inserting everywhere in their songs musical quotations from great metal stars. In the first album (Gli Atroci), it was indeed possible to hear Helloween singing "Siamo gli atroci" or Van Halen describing a car accident, or better yet, Manowar fighting for the cause of metal (even if they actually do this for real and without being funny). In this second album, however, it starts with a fantastic intro that narrates the story of two young guys involved in a pointless escape from the terrifying band Gli Atroci (the track is a continuation of the last track of the previous CD), and then immediately kicks off (I was surprised by the "clarity" of the sounds) with "fratelli nella fede," which in my opinion is the best song on the album: wild drums and thrash guitars recount what life would be like if long-haired metalheads ran for political office and, in exchange for a vote to the "Sun with Studs" party, promised Marshall amps in every classroom, a truly comical, fast, fun melodic piece, with an almost power-like chorus and instrumental references to Neck. Also very entertaining is “La Zincatura,” a heavy track with comedic/Growl alternating vocals that teaches how to get rid of one's mother-in-law in a... "clean" way. “Volevo un taglio semplice” is a stupid but beautiful song that describes the nightmare of the typical professional metalhead, i.e. ending up with short hair because of a tacky barber, this too is a piece of pure Heavy Metal that humorously wanders off and at certain moments becomes Rap\Hip Hop (but intentionally so).

Don't miss the video available for free download on their official website, at the page http://www.gliatroci.com/frame-italia.htm. "Sette Uomini," instead, is a dramatic country song that narrates the story of the Atroci accidentally catapulted into the Far West and forced to live desperately in an era devoid of metal and leather jackets (since at that time they were made of leather). All well and good so far, but then comes "La consegna delle tavole - I dieci Metallamenti" which in my humble opinion seems to significantly lose quality; yes, it may be very beautiful on a technical level (excellent solos) and it may be amusing that Ozzy Osburne is seen as a prophet, but... "If you don't accept the metal commandments you'll get cavities..." WHAT KIND OF STUFF IS THIS? From an original and innovative fun musical style that (maybe) takes inspiration from the legendary Kakka metal and is composed of the union of wild music with self-mockery, it seems all of a sudden to fall into scarce and hideous childishness. It is followed by “Lasciala Stare” which is supposed to be a tribute to I don’t know what classic pop which, like “Ragazzi a pezzi” and “Pezzi di panza” suddenly disappoint expectations bringing back memories of the horrible humor of GemBoy (who in a nursery rhyme world sang the adventures of Porn Mazinger). Fortunately, it recovers with "Nemico dell'igene," enchanting us with a beautiful classic Heavy Metal homage to the legendary (I love them) Twisted Sister, which with typical Glam Rock Star vocals ironically portray the stereotype of the long-haired, smelly metalhead who doesn’t shower. Then, the fact that the band has included so many funny interludes within the CD and a self-mocking song made with tambourines, lil guitars, and mandolin (See Gli Atroci e poi muori) speaks volumes. Now, this group is certainly one to know, at least for a metalhead, but obviously (5 good songs and 5 bad) they are not to be taken too seriously... let's say they would be quite suitable when in a car (that's on) ... these ones, yes.