Draining The Swampy Lands is simply a perfect masterpiece, there's not much I can add to that fact. Hangin' On a Thread unites in an unique and puzzling cd, everything we should expect from a professional band, and that which sometimes we don't find at all: power, emotion, melody, tenderness, aggression, great musicians and a powerful singer. It's all there. Hearing is believing...
This band from Modena, northern Italy (The Italian music scene has been impressing me A LOT), is without a doubt one of my best findings for 2000. Their music is so emotional, depressive, tender...... man, I feel it in my skin. The strong combination of Gianpaolo's hypnotic voice with Federico's heavenly guitar works, an IMPRESSIVELY well-played bass by Mirco, sincere beats by Paolo and the nice touch of samples by Enrico resulted in one of the most beautiful, depressive, heart-to-heart cd's of the whole century. Mixing slight pieces of hardcore with some of the most beautiful emo music ever created by a band (try to imagine a mixture between Quicksand and Far, or maybe the Deftones, although those comparisons really don't do the band justice), this band impresses by their creative verses and for not trying to sound like any of today's famous bands. Sure, they can be influenced by some of them, especially the melodic ones, but they take their own route. What you can expect from such a perfect band such as this, is an addictive sound which will make your heart beat faster as the music flows into your ears, pushes you from the inside, touches your soul and give you a bizarre feeling between slackness and agitation.
The CD stands out as whole from the entire heavy/emo music scene we know now a days. Hanger Down is one, if not the most beautiful songs I've ever heard in my entire life. Everytime I listen to it, it gives me the urge to cry. None of the others stay behind this track though.
Unfortunately, the cd has it's own downside, which is a bit sad coming from a band with such potential. Once again we reached that point of the english pronunciation. Gianpaolo does have a good grasp, and no italian accent at all, but sometimes he slippes badly. For instance, he pronounces the word "huge" as "hugh". There are some mistakes in the lyrics as well, but that's worthless to mention. The CD is good enough being the way it is, and that downside DEFINITELY doesn't affect it.
Hangin' On A Thread is a pleasant surprise, injecting something new and healthy into the vein of music. The band is in NO WAY musically behind their american counterparts, and I want to make sure they know that. I'm extremely grateful that bands like H.O.A.T. that are trying to express their art in the form of music and emotione. Definitely a name we can expect to hear more in the future.
(5 / 5)
