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Rating: It had been four years since Verdena last came to Catania, it was the Wow tour, it seems like a century ago, in between the great anticipation of the previous album and an ever-growing resonance over the recent years.
A frenzied wait and tickets predictably sold out. With desperate people willing to pay four times the price just to get in, who tried to tempt my friend into an easy surplus by reselling, fortunately prevented by my serious threats of reporting to the judicial authorities.
As we arrived at the venue on foot, we realized from the queue outside that it was going to be quite chaotic. When we managed to enter, from the back I discovered that Jennifer Gentle, the supporting band for this part of the tour, had just started their set. They were appreciated despite many asking for respite due to the very high volumes and sound. A band I only knew a few songs from, but one that will definitely need further exploration, a cathartic and all-absorbing performance.
The time for two beers and Alberto, Luca, and Roberta arrive to a frenzy. It's the “Endkadenz Vol. 1” tour so as predicted the set focuses mainly on this album, which is almost entirely performed live, starting with the cathartic and powerful “Ho una fissa,” a beautiful blend of dark distortions and melodies reminiscent of “Il Suicidio del Samurai” tracks.
The latest album, certainly ambitious and demanding for average ears and not only, required several listens before revealing its full beauty, blooming like a red rose.
An album that represents a further step forward compared to previous ones, as per tradition, filled with good songs with an at least curious production choice, with fuzz and distortions recorded and placed everywhere to contaminate, even in the more reflective moments, “Nevischio” excluded. And even live, by choice or not, this is perceived with the rhythmic section and guitars always staying in the foreground even in the calmer moments.
Verdena, always rather uncommunicative on stage, get straight to the point and like a well-oiled machine, they hold the stage for a good two hours. The old fans wouldn’t have minded hearing some more old classics since only three songs from the first three albums were played altogether.
The alternation between moments that trigger a mosh pit and more gathered, choir-like moments is perfect. Luca's hypnotic drumming on “Derek” was the green light I was waiting for to jump into the fray. Perhaps they're getting older, but the urge to create chaos is present both on the album and on stage. The maturity brings little pop gems like “Contro la ragione” or “Puzzle.”
Verdena get a pass, failed are those who organized the concert and the venue.
That Verdena sold out a venue is not surprising, especially if it's a small one. So, it's expected that the legal capacity is respected and the concert doesn’t become an impossible experience to watch for many, as unfortunately happened, amid many controversies, refunded tickets, and people stuck at the entrance. This evening demands serious reflection from the organizers on one hand and on the other the suspicion that we are somewhat lacking in infrastructure for this type of event.
Despite these inconveniences, luckily I managed to move forward after a while and get to a central position near the stage, good to see and enjoy the concert, mosh included of course.
My poorer friend will hate me for a while for bringing him to Barbara, but deep down he knows I did it for his own good, and in the end, he enjoyed the evening too, despite getting lost at the back from the start. But we know the word mosh can incite a certain fear in some people.
Seeing Verdena is still an always exciting experience, it means unplugging from the everyday life for two hours and entering a magical and timeless dusty world, able to suck you in like a dark but fascinating vortex, from which emerging is painful.
The sweat bath at the end of the evening in this case is lived life, the body as a vehicle of freedom and genuine passion, reason surrendering to instinct, a riff, a shouted lyric that for one evening and beyond can let you forget life's disappointments and sufferings.
The hope is that with the upcoming release of the second volume of “Endkadenz” we'll see them again in our area, maybe outdoors. Not everyone can offer two hours of great music at affordable prices.
Call Barack for a medal and then tell Bianco to give them the Massimino for the summer.
Setlist:
Ho una fissa
Un po’ esageri
Sci desertico
Loniterp
Vivere di conseguenza
Contro la ragione
Le scarpe volanti
Derek
Starless
Attonito
Lui gareggia
Canos
Nevischio
Trovami un modo semplice per uscirne
Razzi arpia inferno e fiamme
Inno del perdersi
Valvonauta
Puzzle
Scegli me (Un mondo che tu non vuoi)
Muori delay
Rilievo
Encore:
Nuova luce
Luna
Don Calisto
Funeralus
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