Element – 2198 Secondi di Odio
Element – 2198 Secondi di Odio
No Reentry Records
Release Date: 15/12/22
Running Time: 36:00
Review by Paul Hutchings
7/10
36 minutes of crossover thrash metal from Italy in the shape of Element seems as good a finish to 2022 as any. The Italian quartet follow up their 2018 debut “We Are What We Are” in fine style. They sing in their native tongue, which means that you must work hard to even grasp any kind of idea as to the subject matter, but it’s probably a safe bet to say that they aren’t singing about doing your grandmother’s shopping during the pandemic.
Instead, Element pound, they batter, they rap, and they bring the noise in a style that is individual and avoids most genre cliches. From the opening blast of ‘Cacciatore’ there’s something of great appeal. It’s heavy, underpinned with an infectious groove that soon has you nodding along. The band are locked in tight, the drumming powerful and strong, whilst the riffs pour like water over falls.
There is some variation as well. The first few tracks stick to the pattern, with driving riffs, angry, shouted vocals and punishing breakdowns. We reach ‘2259’ with its Sepultura feel, tribal drumming patterns a chunky riff making it a naturally appealing song. Then we hit ‘Scarfa’, a two-minute atmospheric interlude that changes the tempo and mood. It’s a haunting, eerie piece that threatens to erupt at any moment.
‘Scarf’ provides the interlude before the final push – a brace of songs that bristle with intensity. ‘Notte delle anguane’ which tells the tale of the mythical water witches. It’s a bruising song that builds with a high tension which finishes with a long Italian narrative. The finale comes in the shape of ‘Anepsi’, an excellent eight-minute song that continues the savage approach, the raw, shouted lyrics combining with the jagged riff work and full throttle drumming.
I’d love to tell you more about this album, but my Italian is dreadful. Suffice, this is a record that held my attention throughout, and I’d love to see their high-octane show. If you aren’t a little Englander and enjoy your crossover style, this alum is well worth hunting down.
‘Cacciatore’ Lyric Video
LINE-UP:
Sebastiano Fracasso – Vocals, Guitar
Emmanuele Tonin – Guitar, back vocals
Elia Rolenti – Drums
Giulio Zonin – Bass
TRACKLISTING:
01. Cacciatore
02. Fotosintesi panorama
03. Ondagata
04. Musica d_incitamento all_odio
05. Pane quotidiano
06. 2259
07. Scafa
08. Notte delle anguane
09. Anepsi
LINKS:
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