NERANOTTE

Tuscan band Juglans Regia (Latin term for English Walnut) have been around for 21 years, starting out as a metal band that has, over the years, infused some intense RPI influences (Biglietto Per L'inferno in particular) and now progressing into a more self-assured creation with this new 2023 release. Led by a very muscular rhythm section, composed of leader/bassist Massimiliano Dionigi on bass and drummer David Caretti, who along with singer Alessandro Parigi have been around since their debut Prisma in 2002, have added two new recruits in axeman SamUele Scandario, as well as keysman Riccardo Iacono. My musical preferences are firmly entrenched with crossover, symphonic, neo, jazz-rock and electronic, I do like to venture out of the musical box on occasion, exploring harder edges but only if I detect my standard PAM (passion, atmosphere, and melody) needs. I was perhaps slightly worried that this band and album may be little too metal for my tastes (not the case at all), but truth is it is quite progressive as well as providing all kinds of little details that make them, I daresay, quite adventurous. I made sure by doing a common tweak when reacting to harder material: I raise the listening volume to a much higher level than normal! There 3 mini intermezzos spread around the menu, giving a set up feel to the tracks.

On a stellar track like the slippery "Fragili Equilibri", the overall impression is hyper positive, featuring sturdy, operatic and vibrant vocals, some gritty but adroit guitar shavings (the scorching solo is an impressive display), snippets of deft, and at times orchestral keyboards and the rhythmic locomotive chugging along, the bass curling wildly as an ostensible arbitrator of equipoise. This is an excellent overview of the setlist. The rockier and more cemented "Chimera" is a blazing blow out, with deviating voice transitions, at times like early 80s Stranglers in terms of stylistics, a brief guitar solo and 'ciao bello'! I enjoyed it a lot more than I expected. I couldn't help noticing a slight Blue Oyster Cult feel to "Oltre Lo Schermo", in everything from the overall melody, the dramatic vocals, the rhythm guitar interfacing with the subtle keyboards and a fretboard solo that Buck Dharma could have pulled out in his sleep, fast and poisonous. I really relished this one as well. Another mid- tempo piece, "Confine" puts the spotlight on Alessandro's assured vocal delivery, articulating each word to perfection, as well as highlighting the filthy guitar flicks that Samuele sprinkles liberally in his rhythmic work, a joy to behold, because his soloing is already lethal, in tone (very cool), intensity and delivery! A sense of nautical keyboard dynamics rules on the rollicking "Dentro Il Mare", a gloomy onslaught that focuses on a straightforward arrangement with little frills, a good rock song. The orchestral keyboard backdrop adds the needed dramatics, in order to elevate the assured vocals as the ravaging guitar rasps like a carpenter carving alabaster. The mid-section slows down for the solo that ensues. The longest piece is Neranotte" (the black night) title track, a gradual build-up into a barracuda guitar rant, the devilish bass guiding the light in the abyss, some ornate keyboard reflections as well as effects to bolster the pervading atmosphere. The compressed and distant guitar solo is a gently uncoiling marvel, as the voice dips and rises wonderfully within the instrumental passageways being offered. This is a definite winner. The short "Se" acts as a sonic farewell, sweet as well as sombre as the waves splash over the pier.

Clocking in at 37 minutes, this release bodes very well for the future, when the band really decides to stretch out their instrumental prowess and create some palpitating opus to astound us all. Infusing more keyboards into the arrangements might be a good idea for that eventuality.

4 dim evenings