Christine Plays Viola – F.I.V.E. Fear Increases Violent Emotions (Digital/CD Album – Cleopatra Records)
The Italian group Christine Plays Viola was formed in 2008 and returns this year with its fifth album, following a six-year hiatus. Still operating as a four-piece, the band now releases “F.I.V.E. – Fear Increases Violent Emotions” on Cleopatra Records. The album explores a dark descent into identity, tension, and redemption, conceived, written, and recorded in a period marked by both isolation and confrontation.
Those already familiar with the band will recognize the characteristic 1980s influences, best described as a cross between Post-Punk and Dark-Wave. The guitar plays a central role, shaping the atmosphere and serving as the driving force behind this opus. At times, it even takes on a surprisingly psychedelic edge, though the band never loses sight of its darker core.
The heavier tracks stand out the most, occasionally evoking echoes of Bauhaus. Alongside these, the band also delivers more subdued songs, where the somber mood remains intact, though the overall impact is slightly less convincing. A notable and successful addition is the use of saxophone, bringing an unexpected twist—at moments even hinting at a subtle ska influence in combination with the guitar work.
What may be missing is a truly standout hit, although the album offers several very strong tracks, alongside a few—albeit rare—weaker moments. Christine Plays Viola prove themselves once again as seasoned veterans who have firmly earned their place within the broader Dark Wave landscape. (Rating:8).
Ahead of the album, the band released the video single “Desolate Moments”.
Listen to “Confession”:
About Christine Plays Viola
Christine Plays Viola is an Italian dark and new wave band that formed in Pratola Peligna, in Italy’s Abruzzo region, in 2008. The earliest release was “Promo 2010”, followed by a deal with the German label afmusic for the debut full-length “Innocent Awareness”, released on May 13, 2011. That same period also produced the band’s first video, “Witch of Silence”, directed by Loreto Valente.
“Promo 2012” was followed by the EP “Leocadia” on May 31, 2013. “Vacua” followed in 2014 on Cold Insanity Music. On February 27, 2015, the band released the 7-inch EP “The Stars Can’t Frighten”, which included covers of Joy Division’s “Atmosphere” and Talk Talk’s “Such A Shame”.
Their third album, “Spooky Obsessions”, arrived on September 30, 2016 through Manic Depression Records. In a review we described it as “an interesting production for adapting good-old new-wave standards into a very own and contemporary format.” The band then self-released “The bonds should be only silver threads” on May 14, 2018 and returned with “Fading” on May 18, 2020 through Manic Depression and Icy Cold Records.
Later singles included “Blood Calls Blood” on March 17, 2023 and “Jackie’s Curse” on January 5, 2024. This review covers the band’s fifth album, “F.I.V.E.”, released this year on Cleopatra Records.
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