Verdena
Requiem

Several months have passed since the release of "Requiem" by Verdena, an album that has sought to create a clear break with all past works. The cover is more than eloquent and shows painted, aged faces against a dark background.

Through repeated listens, one can give a global assessment, noticing even small nuances that at first seem marginal to the tracks. The album is rich in references to bands, authors, and albums that have orbited the Bergamo trio's sphere since 1997. Not only Nirvana and Motorpsycho as the most malicious and narrow-minded reviewers note; an universe orbiting more around Kyuss than Queens of the Stone Age, the Pink Floyd of "The Piper at the Gates of Dawn," the Beatles of the "White Album," the more experimental Radiohead.

The album is heavy, long, and steady, occasionally interspersed with small mostly instrumental interludes that allow us to catch our breath. In "Angie" and "Trovami Un Modo Più Semplice Per Uscirne", Alberto and co. successfully attempt to write retro-flavored ballads, while in "Non Prendere L'Acme Eugenio" and "Il Gulliver", they are able to further expand their instrumental jams rich in references to psychedelic bands and to a certain kraut rock, whose traces have now been lost to present days. "Muori Delay" is clearly a seventies piece, played on high notes and a riff that vaguely recalls that of Spoonman.

Contrary to what many think, Verdena is an original band that has managed to find its own compositional vein, starting from all the albums that inevitably influence everyone's life, without necessarily mimicking the "So-and-so" complex, something that systematically happens in Italy. In "Requiem," they acknowledge their flaws, especially vocal ones (while I like the style, it's clear we're not dealing with a Buckley) and their strengths (Luca's drumming and the ability to create a perfect harmony between noise/melody). On the first point, they have worked masterfully by using counter-melodies and double vocals, along with various effects obtained especially with synths; on the second point, Alberto Ferrari's production highlighted his brother's skill and the strong sound impact of the three from Bergamo.

It is a work that could be summarized with this quote: "For too many years we have lived off the success and expectations of those around us, having to endure the inevitable criticisms that selling and becoming a public figure entails. Now we have grown up and intend to do what we want, without the pretense of being the new darlings of an ocean of people or a hodgepodge of teenagers".

I recommend listening to those who consider them an MTV product, a useless Nirvana cover band, the worst, to those who criticize them (like those who criticized "Hai Paura Del Buio?" at the time, which I personally consider great but inferior to this LP). Requiem, a masterpiece.