Ministri
Per un passato migliore

Hype is a bit like advertising, the important thing is that people talk about it, whether good or bad doesn't matter, as long as it sparks curiosity and generates word of mouth. Basically, this is what happened with the latest album by Ministri which marks their return with Godzillamarket and back to an independent label.
And I am naturally a curious being.

I must admit I started with some skepticism towards the Milanese band, accompanied by suspicions that from what little I knew they might tend to be one of those rock bands that lacked truly interesting insights and had a sound too seduced by mainstream rock sirens.

“Per un passato migliore” makes me reconsider, though: an essential, direct album with a bit of cunning in alternating more edgy songs with others more easy listening but enjoyable and not easily tiresome. And I find that energy that shatters the suspicions linked to some more melodic episode diluted in the mix.

If the opener “Mammut” starts the album in a pyrotechnic way, things change a bit with the single “Spingere” and the rock ballad “Pista anarchica” which shows that more accommodating side that was mentioned earlier.

Surely the trio is at its best when they pick up the pace, such as in the explosive chorus of “Le nostre condizioni”, “La nostra buona stella” a good blend of catchiness and power, and “Mille settimane” the pinnacle of the work that deserves a few more words. Here the Ministri dare more, with a good text tied to the man-time relationship, but above all an excellent interpretation never so screamed and felt by Davide Auteliano supported closely by Federico Dragogna's guitar and Michele Esposito's drums. We hope that in the future these even rougher vocal lines find more space, without wanting to underestimate Divi's vocal performance in great form.

As with any good hard-heavy-rock album worth its salt, there are moments to take a little breather and here is no exception with the sweet “I tuoi weekend mi distruggono”, “Se si prendono te” (probably the best of the three), and the finale with medieval hues of “Una palude” which, given the previous “Pista anarchica,” this time avoid the risk of crafting melodies too flagrantly pop.

And now we're ready to pull in the oars, clench our fists, and join the big feline on the cover in trying to find strength and our way in this damn world, which is a steep savannah full of dangers where the law of the strongest prevails and fighting for survival.

“But one of us is wrong, one of us will crash with the same strength and the same anger...”