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Rating: The inspiration for the following writing came to me yesterday late morning.
I reached one of the places I have preferred for decades in the mountains where I live: Passo del Monscera, which marks the border between Italy and Switzerland. A centuries-old trading route between Ossola and the Canton of Valais. I met very few people during the long ascent (over a thousand meters of elevation gained in two and a half hours of effort): what I always seek when I go to the mountains. Solitude and silence; silence and solitude. Those who, like me, appreciate these imposing places can understand just perfectly. Arriving at the 2103 meters of the Pass, I was welcomed by a cold and strong wind; this area is particularly subject to icy gusts throughout all months of the year. Temperature not exceeding eight degrees, perhaps even less, so much snow still present. I indulge in a panorama with few comparisons around here: the Sempione triptych (three peaks already in Swiss territory rising around 4000 meters in altitude), the Pioltone with its severe and steep wall that protects the pass, the Cima di Verosso on the orographic right of the valley that dominates the picturesque small Lago di Ragozza. And down there, the Ossola plain with Domodossola, the mountain range bordering the wild Val Grande. All places I know by heart; visions that grant my person chills, calmness, serenity. Far from the world, far from everyone.
While descending towards San Lorenzo di Bognanco, the starting point, I had that fateful and sudden enlightenment: I will forever live in contact with these natural wonders; I will forever enjoy the pleasure of walking paths, mule tracks, mountain dirt roads: to put it in English Forever Mountain.
At this point, it was simple to associate everything to the title of a track by the monumental Voivod. The flying Canadians, how I like this statement of mine, at the end of 2015 released a split-single with the "glowing" company of Napalm Death. Two of my favorite metal bands, at last, after so many years of waiting, joining forces by producing a track each and proving for the millionth time they have no rivals.
Mountains, Voivod, and Napalm Death: a winning trio for Yours Truly.
It's up to the band of Snake and Away to open the auditory barrage; Forever Mountain is one of the first songs recorded by the band with the presence of the new bassist, Rocky. Five minutes of timeless beauty; a determined HeavyPsychedelicProg ride played with customary class, with total control of the instrumentation. Rhythms dictated by Away's frenzied drums; the six-string riffs slashing the long track with millimetric precision. Snake's nasal and at times "forced" voice further synonymous with absolute quality; a perfect song, in perfect Voivod style. The years pass, but the band from Quebec is still far from relinquishing the scepter, from descending the imperial throne they have occupied for so long.
Napalm Death's reply doesn't take long!! A killer, beastly, ferocious reply; they must at least settle the score with their friends Voivod. As far as I'm concerned, they succeed entirely. Phonetics for the Stupefied is the usual demonstration of immense strength, of cohesion. Terroristic minutes opening with the voice of Mark "Barney" starting the onslaught of invective against the current society; supported by an instrumentation at times too fast, on the brink of disastrous derailment. DeathGrindCore that at the end suffers a heavy slowdown: entering dangerous Groove Metal territories. With the last seconds overflowing into Industrial abysses.
Maximum scores to both; utmost respect and eternal gratitude.
Ad Maiora.
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