Malombra
T.R.E.S.

THE REVIEW

Malombra is the classic cult band. The Genoese band led by the singer Mercy managed to build a following thanks to albums like Malombra, Our Lady Of The Bones and The Dissolution Age. However, there was a lost album that, for those few who knew about it, had taken on the allure of precious and hidden treasures over time. That album was called T.R.E.S. (the reference is to Foucault's Pendulum, by Umberto Eco and the symbolism of the number 3) and it remained locked away in a drawer since 1996 due to the classic misunderstandings that arise in music groups. Now, finally, T.R.E.S. is seeing the light thanks to guitarist Matteo Ricci and singer Renato Carpaneto (better known as Mercy). The sound of Malombra has always been a powerful and disruptive mix of prog, hard-rock and dark, and in my opinion, here in T.R.E.S. it reaches perfection. Matteo Ricci is a great guitarist with a special touch, very “Frippian,” while Mercy is the usual gloomy officiant of a secret cult. Undoubtedly, the highlight of T.R.E.S. is "Malombra," a tribute to the famous book by Antonio Fogazzaro, a romantic masterpiece rich in dark and decadent nuances. The music is dark, dreamlike and reveals lost emotions that reminded me of immortal dramas from the ‘70s like Malombra and Il Segno del Comando. The opening track "Astarte" has a very horror-like beginning, almost like a Dario Argento film, while in "Baccanalia," for those who want to delve deeper, there are many esoteric themes. "Cerchio Gaia 666," at around 17 minutes, is the longest track. The music alternates between harsh, dynamic atmospheres characterized by Matteo Ricci's guitar, and quieter, dreamlike ones. Ultimately, I confirm that "T.R.E.S." is a great album that rightly brings the name of Malombra back into the spotlight.