Genre/Influences: Dark-ambient, cinematographic.

Background/Info: Mauro Berchi (Canaan and Eibon Records owner) and Gianni Pedretti (Collquio ao) are back on track unleashing the 4^th opus of Neronoia. This new opus has been introduced as being ‘the diary of a madman singing his songs of love and despair’.

Content: We can’t say that this album sounds like ‘classical’ dark-ambient music and this for one good reason: it’s not that usual to hear dark-ambient music featuring vocals! The vocals sung by Gianni Pedretti clearly seem to be an important item of this work. All the lyrics have been sung – or should I say spoken, in Italian. So you really have to be Italian speaking to understand the deeper meaning behind the vocals, but the somewhat shimmering and desperate way of ‘acting’ clearly reveals feelings of sorrow.

There’s no real trace of joy running through the work and that’s one of the reasons why we can speak about dark-ambient elements. I get the impression to ‘watch music’. This is the kind of production with an interesting visual appeal. The dark and anguishing atmospheres reinforce the sensation of despair. The vocals are sterile. Some female guest vocals are quite similar to the solitude hanging over this composition.

The music remains pretty minimal. The work has been composed with a few guest musicians, but it all remains pretty desperate although a few more wafting passages can be heard right in the beginning part.

+ + + : The main strength of this record clearly is the poignant, but minimal-like sound atmosphere supporting the composition. Music and vocals together create a frightening match, which feels more like despair then love.

Another essential element of the work is the artistic digipak featuring two impressive booklets.

– – – : The minimal aspect of the composition makes it less accessible for a wider audience and not exactly meant to please dark-ambient die-hard freaks. It’s a pity for non-Italian music lovers not to understand the content of the lyrics, which clearly are an essential element of the work.

Conclusion: Solitude and despair clearly remains the muse for dark music souls. This work perfectly reflects the most obscure feelings and thoughts of the poor mortal souls that we are.

Best songs: “Un Lampo D’Acciaio”, “Regali Di Carne”, “Muri Bianchi”.

Rate: (7).

Band: https://myspace.com/neronoia

Label: www.eibonrecords.com / www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Eibon–Records/113898028620718