TAMAN SHUD

This Sicilian band released their debut album in 2019, "Solitaire" to muted reviews, even though I personally found it exceptional. The Floydian vibes and doom-laden bluesy feel certainly found me attracted into their orbit. I did not get to review it because of a massive workload at the time but it still resonates strongly with me ever since. For those who may be wondering about the title, it's a Persian word meaning 'It is Over', so one can presume that the gloom will keep on permeating their craft. Led by the expansive vocals of Sergio Manfredi Sallicano , singing both in English and Italian as well as impressive lead guitarist Francesco Venti, the band enlists some precious allies in two additional fretboard specialists : Vittorio di Stefano on acoustic and slide guitar as well as rhythm specialist Salvo di Mauro. Guest keyboardist Alessandro Caltabiano plays on three tracks. Completing the crew, the bass guitar is handled by Danilo Montagnino and Rosario Figura on drum duties . Six well stacked pieces are on display, so let's see what the potential end of the world proposes.

Crunching pebbles get "TerryG" going, as the weaving guitars settle the road ahead, Sergio warmly exalting in both languages effortlessly, the pace gurgling into an eventual cosmic frenzy, oblique laser guided shards of sound interspaced with delicate picking that dives into sonic abysses where reflection replaces brawn. The ensuing groove is absorbing, the faraway atmospherics becoming a launchpad for an adventurous space stroll. Moody solitude soon transfers to a return of the erupting anger, backing vocals creating the galactic choir that vanishes into the vectored void of the universe.

Also, in the 8-minute range , "Il Distacco" exudes the detachment required to venture further into the unknown, an experimental severance from the daily routine, Sergio channeling a Mariusz Duda sensibility amid the sizzling electricity of the arrangement, both blunt and unhinged as it navigates into a distant flash of comatose reflection. The relentless mathematical riff keeps the stupor alive, long enough for an outburst of sentiment that screams out anguish and isolation, the longest and best track on this menu. From Italian lyrics to an English finale ("I am full of love"), it reverberates with heroic poignancy, that leaves an infinite afterglow.

The dexterity of the criss-crossing guitar patterns on "Distant Star" are wholly beguiling , the epitome of a characteristic prog space ballad, shifting between gong planets and edge of time warriors, the scorching boosters shoving the craft into sonic hyperdrive, warp factor 3 and the quest for a galactic asteroid belt buckle that shines like a beacon in the dark. The blacksmith hammer rhythm section forges ahead like Vulcan on fire, especially when the tempo is ratcheted up into a fury propulsion. Sergio owns the megaphone with intense devotion to temperament, urging the band to thrust beyond the pale.

The title track is where the aural details acquire soporific tendencies, Sergio taking on the roles of a conversation between the Italian pilot and the English mission commander, amid tingling effusions of guitars and electronics. The percussive angle stitches a sensitive groove that sets the table for a gripping Gilmourian guitar solo, full of dripping awareness, gorgeous piano droplets echoing among the stars, a resonating melancholia percolating with sorrow and finality . 'It is over', suddenly. Maintaining the focus on atmospherics , the shrouded sea on which one can "Sail", unfurls a wide variety of fluctuating bearings, floating on tranquil waters of sound, scat vocals paralleling the guitar compass, and then opting to steer into the impending storm. Greying clouds loom over the murky and menacing, horizon, challenged by the valiant vocal delivery, like a captain veering into the maelstrom dauntless, a tremendously addictive piece of music.

Persevering with the excellence previously displayed, "Wodwo/Vertigo" comes across as a prefect summery of this band and this album. Unhurried and unapologetic in creating another humongous melody, a distant Riverside feel remains overt via the attraction of Sergio's fine tone. Distraught and exhausted, the vertiginous violin from Caterina Coco arrives like a knight in shining armor, saving the day once again, as the arrangement sits right on the edge of the abyss. The triumphant apotheosis is now set up to be not only expected but clearly and effusively delivered, perfectly planned from the very beginning.

File under extremely entertaining. 4.5 Etna eruptions

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