Sabotage
Behind The Lines

I continue my research on some of the fundamental chapters of our dear Italian metal. "Behind The Lines" is the first album of the Italian metal band Sabotage, which was the first group where Morby of the current Domine played.

In the mid-eighties, precisely in 1986, they released this debut album, which is still considered one of the most important in Italian metal. The line-up consisted of Morby on vocals, Andy Fois on guitar, Henry Caroli on bass, and Dario Caroli on drums. The sound of the album isn't really perfect, much like the records of Vanadium, Strana Officina, or Royal Air Force, which nonetheless were making leaps forward. Despite this, the eight songs are all phenomenal, and I am fortunate enough to have an old copy on LP of the album... (which my father bought, almost by accident, in a shop in Viterbo).

Sabotage delivers the classic heavy metal sound (Saxon, Judas), with some speed bursts akin to early-period Anvil. It starts with a brief organ introduction that kicks off the explosive "Victim Of The World," where Morby & Co. put the pedal to the metal and accelerate. A very fast and furious song, characterized by the beautiful vocal qualities of the singer and the classic eighties metal style. "Riding Through The Dark" showcases the group's excellent performance, with a killer rhythmic section that explodes in the beautiful chorus supported by Fois's sharp guitar. The speed continues with "Mothers," pure energy concentrated in a powerful mid-tempo, accompanied by a metallic gallop in Saxon style, distinguished by Morby's usual bright voice. Another great piece! "Warmachine" is a true war machine where our four brave metallers, raised on bread and Anvil (..even if it's a bit hard to chew..), produce a true speed track. The vocal section becomes more menacing, especially in the refrain, accompanying this heavy metal march, which turns out to be one of the best tracks of the lot. "Fight For Your Music," which should be the motto for us metalheads, starts with a solid riff, a great performance by the two Caroli brothers, and a Morby outdoing himself with his beautiful screams... (let's say Halford-like). "Nightkiller" and "Heroes For The Grave" sweep here and there on speed territories, featuring a fast double bass and the great performance of the vocalist who proves unstoppable and perfect in this album.

The album flows pleasantly, and the last track is the seemingly "calm" "Promised Land." In fact, the song starts with a very beautiful guitar arpeggio and Morby's good voice, making you immediately think of a melancholic Cinderella-style ballad, instead here comes Fois's powerful riff. The latter opens the dance to a true ride executed in perfect N.W.O.B.H.M. style, with some riff changes and Andy's beautiful solos, further enhancing the performance. This is "Behind The Lines," these are Sabotage!! Unfortunately, the band disbanded in 1991 and is remembered only for this CD, which nonetheless earned them the honor of being one of the most representative groups of Italian metal.

Unfortunately, the records that remain with us from almost all Italian bands are not perfectly recorded, and only LPs are available at somewhat high prices. Through Myspace, you can hear songs from Stana Officina, Dark Quarterer, Skanners, Death SS, Bulldozer and sites like "Vibrations of Doom" which contain rare albums and metal bands. I absolutely recommend it!! I hope there will soon be re-releases, so that we who couldn't witness, for reasons of age, the national heavy metal, can appreciate it now.