Linea 77
Numb

THE REVIEW

The Linea 77 are a band to keep an eye on for various reasons. So far, they have always made good albums, they are from Turin, and they play hardcore (two things that historically have always gone well together), and finally, they have a contract with an important English label (Earache), something not everyone can boast of.

Their latest work features 11 tracks that balance metal, hardcore, and a strong nu-metal influence that has characterized their style for an unsuspected amount of time. Moving on to what I like, I must emphasize that the group has the best rhythm section heard in Italy. Dade on bass and Tokio on drums form a really cohesive and powerful duo that produces a compact and flawless sound. This, in my opinion, is the band's strength. Paradoxically, it seems to me that these musicians are somewhat wasted in Linea 77 because they aren't supported by adequate musical writing. This is the group's weak point.

The songs are violent and energetic to the right degree, but in all three albums released so far, there is a lack of truly engaging singles. In this latest one, “Fantasma” stands out, half-sung and half-rapped with great style and aggression; Warhol, which echoes the Mr. Bungle style (with horns in the background); “66” with the voice of Subsonica's Samuel. Speaking of this last song, I'd like to say that the idea of pairing two voices, one rapping and one "vocalizing," remains a very valid solution that proves itself again with Samuel's beautiful voice. The same can't be said for the group's traditional second voice (Nitto), who doesn't seem to have the characteristics suited for the role.

“Numb” confirms all the good things said about Linea 77 but does not represent the masterpiece we were expecting.