Touch The Sun « The RingMaster Review

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Psycho is the new album from Italian melodic metal/ alternative rock quartet The Kreoles, a release which makes a highly enjoyable first impression but continues to sneak up on the imagination as each track passes with diversity and inventive fun; the result an encounter very easy to get rather excited about.

The Kreoles emerged in 2011, the realisation of an idea by founder Ivan McSimon, a Como-based producer, songwriter, and guitar player who previously played with Dyve. The new project was born from the intent to explore new creative paths and subsequently saw McSimon linking up with vocalist Valentina Merlo, bassist Marco Francesco D’Elia, and drummer Davide Piccolo. 2014 saw the release of their well-received debut album Touch The Sun, the potent base from which Psycho now blossoms from with even greater adventures.

Released through Sliptrick Records, Psycho makes a strong and steady start with opener The Last Man. Coaxing attention with its initial country scented melodic jangle, the track soon breaks into a muscular stride with swinging rhythms, an irritably steely bassline, and the fiery roar of guitar. In the midst of it all, the instantly engaging and impressive voice of Merlo lures with siren-esque quality drawing ears even deeper into the rousing heart of the song. Slips into melody rich emotively calmer passages only adds to the alluring drama of the encounter, McSimon scorching the senses with his volcanic melodic tapestry as the album roars into life.

Disease takes over with the same kind of imposing but welcoming intensity to its body, more classic metal hues colluding with the band’s enterprising canvas of textures and sounds. Again there is an instinctive nagging snarl to the underbelly of the song driving the melodic fire consuming and pleasing the senses; Merlo enticing and the open individual prowess of the band uniting in a similarly explosive and anthemic proposal.

With exotic keys to the fore, Empty steps forward next, that early charm soon entwined and vocal in a web of sonic and rhythmic rapacity embraced by an Animal Alpha like character of song. Infectiously irresistible and a fierce flame of melody and tenacious energy, the track stirs the spirit before making way for the equally creatively hungry and energetically dynamic Too Fast To Live, Too Young To Die. Breeding a great punk pop essence recalling seventies bands like The Photos and The Adult Net whilst infusing it in a tapestry of heavy rock/melodic metal enterprise, the song similarly catches attention with swift ease and potency, only increasing its hold minute by minute.

Though just as heated, a calmer climate embraces next up Don’t You Know, a Pretenders spiced offering with more of the southern hues which the band skilfully infuse in many of their songs. With the vocal beauty and expression of Merlo sheer magnetism, the song boisterously smoulders, its touch a burning seduction as catchy as anything upon the album.

Through Obsession with its rhythmic irritability and melodically metallic confrontation and the tempestuous confrontation of Like A Scream, The Kreoles keep enjoyment high even if neither song ignites the appetite as imposingly as their predecessors. Both tracks are missing the same kind of surprises lighting up those around them but ensure there is no wandering of attention before Dolomites installs itself as our favourite moment. A rolling contagion of country punk pop as inescapably infectious as the flu but a hell of lot more fun, the song just cannot fail to place a smile on the face and in the heart with its virulent exploits.

Black Star’s Night is another which weaves familiar essences into its own creative domain to forcibly satisfy without turning emotions lusty before the album’s title track brings things to a thrilling close. There is cantankerousness to the rhythmic enticement of the song, a predatory edge lining riffs too as among them Merlo beckons with every syllable shared. Its eventful presence though is also a haven for melodic imagination and an evolving intensity as unpredictable as it is scintillating.

Psycho, song and album, is a masterful enslavement of ears and imagination from a band destined to real and eager recognition ahead and if their new enticement has its deserved way, beginning right now.

Psycho is out now through Sliptrick Records across most online stores.