Coevo – Badtime Stories
Coevo – Badtime Stories EP
Self-Released
Release Date: 25/01/24
Running Time: 19:03
Review by Laura Barnes
10/10
Whenever a band describes themselves as ‘Progressive Metal’, it’s difficult to know what to expect. At worst, it’s a band armed with synths and an utterly bizarre sense of rhythm, in which case I simply switch off the stereo and pretend the whole thing never happened. There is an unfortunate amount of these bands out there, and as a result I approach every Progressive Metal band I encounter with a sense of trepidation. Occasionally, though, I will encounter a Progressive Metal release that actually lives up to its name, with music that genuinely pushes boundaries. “Badtime Stories”, the latest EP from Italian Progressive Metal band Coevo, thankfully falls into this second category. This EP demonstrates that experimentation and musicality aren’t mutually exclusive. Catchy, atmospheric, anthemic and at times downright weird, “Badtime Stories” is a release that warrants listen after listen, and will no doubt remain on my playlist for a long time.
“Badtime Stories” kicks off with ‘Hello Neighbour’, a frantic 3 and a half minutes that harnesses anxiety and melody in equal measure. Sounding like a bizarre love child between System of a Down and Dream Theater, this track will have you headbanging one second and singing your heart out the next. It’s followed by the delightfully gloomy ‘Ivy’, a song perfect for skulking around Victorian alleyways with angst and sorrow in your heart. Vocalist Aurelio Cosenza really shines here. His singing borders on the operatic but never once feels out of place as he constantly adapts to the track’s every emotion. Up next is ‘Goodnite’, the closest thing this EP has to a ballad, and it doesn’t disappoint. Like the best ballads, it is cinematic in scale, and the emotions and lyrics are genuine enough to avoid cheese-territory. As a side note, I also really enjoy Negro’s bass in this song – you know when you scratch a dog’s belly and they get all content? That’s how the bass in this song makes me feel. The EP concludes with the epic ‘Paper Chrysalis’. With a fist-pumping pre-chorus and a SOARING guitar solo, it has a climactic energy that makes it the perfect way to end a perfect EP.
So, if it wasn’t glaringly obvious from the 250 words of pure fawning I just wrote, “Badtime Stories” is a jaw-droppingly great release, and the fact that this was achieved without the backing of a major label is a testament to power and creativity of grassroots music. Needless to say, I’ll be waiting eagerly for Coevo’s next full-length release.
‘Paper Chrysalis’ Lyric Video
TRACKLISTING:
01. Hello Neighbour
02. Ivy
03. Goodnite
04. Paper Chrysalis
LINE-UP:
Aurelio Cosenza – Vocals
Alessio Gasparin – Guitar
Luca Negro – Bass
Marco Sacchetto – Drums
LINKS:
Disclaimer: This review is solely the property of Laura Barnes and Ever Metal. It is strictly forbidden to copy any part of this review, unless you have the strict permission of said party. Failure to adhere to this will be treated as plagiarism and will be reported to the relevant authorities.
