Sadist
Tribe

I know that many refer to this album as a death metal record, and it is certainly that under some aspects, but I find it limiting. If we really had to categorize it in this genre, I would not hesitate to call it one of the greatest death albums of all time. But the imaginative and progressive interpretation of Sadist brings them closer to other luminaries of this style like Atheist, Cynic, or the later Pestilence.

I can hardly imagine the success and media and public response if this band had been born in Florida instead of Italy. The undisputed Tommy Talamanca, the true mastermind of the band, leads it to venture into the most disparate shores of rock. While the always raw and ripped voice ensures the right degree of evilness and roughness, on the other hand, the dynamic solutions open up unimaginable breaks for 99% of bands. Many and surprising changes in rhythm and atmosphere. The instrumental technique is exquisite and allows for prog digressions worthy of Dream Theater or Fates Warning ("Spiral Of Winter Ghost"). The keyboards, on the other hand, always provide an ancient and penetrating charm and greatly contribute to creating that atmosphere suspended in time, deep, and haunting, with influences from Goblin ("Escogido" and "The Ninth Wave"). Often, tight and very raw death riffs intervene to dirty the structure of the tracks and remind us of the feral nature of the band's metal. Sadist is not content with the obvious and also tries more folk and tribal solutions, with the inclusion of instruments foreign to the rock field ("India" and "Tribe"). Theirs is an ascetic fury that leads them to monstrous methodological rigor, while ranging across the most diverse genres. They are truly artists of dark hues, knowing every nuance which they paint now with the wise use of the bass ("The Reign Of Asmat") or with sophisticated dynamics. A very beautiful piece is also the instrumental one ("From Bellatrix To Betelgeuse") that manages to create a beautiful and interesting atmosphere. In the album, there are also two live tracks and the cover "Wrathchild" by Iron Maiden rendered with the usual fantasy.

For once, the term masterpiece is not abused, and I am happy to use it concerning an Italian band.