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Rating: Ideal evening for the concert of one of the most gloomy and fascinating bands that the Roman scene has ever produced. Rain all afternoon and a light humid breeze in the evening, with few stars and a large moon. The Circolo degli Artisti (Rome, Via Casilina Vecchia, 42) is a well-appreciated meeting place for fans of Roman music, not so much for the quality of the venue itself (which has nonetheless expanded its services, with a pizzeria, bars everywhere, and a kebab stall tucked behind a corner) but for the continuous offering of local and international bands and artists. What is surprising is the absolute diversity of its clientele nowadays. I couldn't help but notice old-school metalheads engaging in amiable conversations with gentlemen in double-breasted suits or high-society ladies. Truly a disorienting punch in the eye.
Klimt 1918 are here to present their latest effort, that "Just In Case We'll Never Meet Again" (abbreviated JC), which has raised many eyebrows but undoubtedly provided the group with their own sonorous and compositional autonomy. The evening (which started very late compared to the schedule) is introduced by Kardia with their Italian rock-hardcore. Pleasant and gritty. The venue struggles to fill up, and many linger with beers and Bacardis. Kardia bids farewell after a commendable performance, and on the side screen of the main hall appears an extremely disturbing video of a little girl who, thanks to a skillful digital morphing technique, transforms into a vampire with pupil-less eyes. A recorded track sets the atmosphere as it had for the Dopoguerra (abbreviated DG) concert. Klimt takes the stage one by one. I turn around, and the hall is full. Nice.
"The Breathtaking Days (Via Lactea)" (JC) could only be the opener of the live. Dense with seductive guitars, it empties your mind and introduces you to the world of Klimt. The group's maturity is evident. Their stage presence is more relaxed, and Marco Soellner (voice and guitar) finally looks the audience in the face, interacts, and sings with passion and conviction. The audience warms up slowly with the subsequent "Skygazer" (C) and "Rachel" (DG). The first headbangers, including myself, let loose, and the trio "Snow of 85's" (DG), "Ghost Of A Tape Listener" (JC), heralded by the announcement of the upcoming video, and "Because Of You, Tonight" (DG) will cause the reviewer neck pains that still linger today (I'm not as young as I used to be...). But it's the emotional power of "The Graduate" (JC), a masterful point of the latest album, that loosens up the most skeptical who let themselves go in blind swaying, lulled by Marco's increasingly warm and determined voice.
People are sweating, but no one wants to give up. There's a desire for Klimt among the audience that finally gives the right tribute to a band that, if appreciated, truly makes one soar.
Davide Pesola (bass) and Francesco Conte (guitar) are the worthy heralds of the leader, while Paolo, the latter's brother, churns out perfect rhythms behind them. The guys notice the audience's warmth and return the favor, keeping the appreciation level high. Not even a technical problem with Marco's guitar creates discomfort or emotional gaps in the performance. Before the finale, delivered to the flagship "Parade of Adolescence" (from Undressed Momento), the four of them gift us with "They Were Wed By The Sea" (DG) and "True Love Is The Oldest Fear" (JC) where incredibly the audience's voice sometimes overpowers that of the singer. Or maybe it was just me shouting so loud that I heard nothing else. The encore is a pulsing and sensual "Nightdriver" (DG) that partly compensates for the absence of "Sleepwalk In Rome"(DG), a song requested by many voices in the hall and that would have been the fitting conclusion to a very pleasant, though perhaps short, evening of pure Roman Emotive Music.
A special mention must be made for the CD packaging, sold in bundle with an audio cassette (the album's subtitle is in fact "Music For The Cassette Generation"). All for only €15. A Must!! I had it all autographed!!
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