Touch The Sun « The RingMaster Review

Rock ‘n’ roll obviously comes in numerous shapes and hollers and for us it is when that kind of diversity finds a home within one single encounter that we find the strongest fascination. The sound and new album of Italian outfit The Kreoles is one such proposition; an encounter bred upon a fusion of varied rock and metal flavours with a healthy punk ‘n’ roll roar for extra goodness.

Next Stop, The Madness is the third album from the Como based band which was founded by producer, songwriter and guitarist Ivan McSimon in 2011 and originally was a quartet with female vocalist Valentina Merlo. With a pair of well-received albums in the 2014 released Touch The Sun (Valery Records) and two years later Psycho (Sliptrick Records), the band revealed the potent sound which has only become more individual to The Kreoles ever since. 2017 saw the foursome reduced with Merlo leaving and McSimon adding vocal duties to his prowess within the band and as McSimon subsequently began working on the new album alone, he brought in bassist NIc Angileri and drummer David Cuomo to complete the line-up with no doubt their backgrounds in numerous styles adding to the rich mix within Next Stop, The Madness.

With Jeff Waters from Annihilator additionally providing a host of solos across its tracks, the album swiftly had ears seriously attentive with opener Shiver. A swirling melodic flume escapes a guitar straight away, rising eagerly from within the wall of sound carrying it. As quickly the song twists into its rock ‘n’ roll stride, riffs and rhythms almost stalking the listener as McSimon’s vocals stroll their tempting. Already the band’s sound sets down its individual character though there is an essence which reminds of Russian rockers Biting Elbow to the song and indeed many of its companions. Equally the track revels in heavy metal and progressive rock attributes; every second one of simple captivation as the song sets the album off in fine style.

Day After Day follows, bursting from the speakers with relish as swinging rhythms collude with sonic and melodic tenacity. Its spirit and energy never dips across another stretch of alluring enterprise, McSimon steering the adventure in voice and craft, and even in the moment of relative calm there is a vigour which prevails. With a solo which just beguiled, the ear gripping track makes way for the equally magnetic It’s Time to Go, a song with a dark lining to its drama and melodic intimacy to its creative narrative. As within its predecessors, keys add another compelling and tantalising ingredient to keenly devour.

Both Deep Inside with its robust dynamics and infectious intricacies and the more classic rock/metal bred Take Off hold ears and appetite firm, each a host of catchy and at times voracious enterprise while All Alone savours its metal breeding from its first breath as again classic hues unite with fresh textures and a punk infused ferocity. All three add their own independent imaginations and personalities to the album, the steely web of the last especially striking before We Make the History shares its potent balladry.

The album’s title track follows on an enthusiastic canter, once more the band aligning metal threads to a hard rock styled canvas to effortlessly ensnare attention. Though some tracks roused the passions more than others, every song within Next Stop, The Madness left a pleasure sparking mark, this one no less than any other with its multi-flavoured roar.

The album concludes with firstly the imaginative and stylish thunder of You Can Be Sure and lastly the bold rock ‘n’ roll of The Rain. Neither song quite sparked the ardour of many before them but each left a lingering mark and rich satisfaction which only drew ears keenly back.

Next Stop, The Madness certainly pleased straight away but it is with plays and time as more of its tapestry of melodic colours and varied flavoured textures came forward that it really impressed. So quite simply, The Kreoles is one of those bands which, as indeed their new release, should definitely be checked out.

Next Stop, The Madness is out now via Sliptrick Records across most stores and @ https://www.thekreoles.com/shop/

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Pete RingMaster 05/08/2019

the_kreoles_RingMasterReview

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.