Milan four-piece Monteceneri has been recording since 2019 and Due is their first EP release, the group having previously recorded some standalone singles.
Although released as an EP, the four tracks here come in at over thirty minutes and those lengths allow an atmosphere to be generated, usually on the back of the kind of intense, creeping bass line that puts you in mind of Massive Attack.
Markus Sotta Corona‘s bass is often the focus around which, as on opener “Call Of The Void”, there will be a textured swirl of sound in step with Simone Chiodini‘s sly, slinky drumbeat. There are persistent textures that crackle in the air and generate a sense of impending drama, but one which the listener is able to settle into.
Although only a four tracker, by the time the songs have veered from their original course, they will end up at another point entirely, making it feel like like a lot of ideas are being squeezed into the running time. The staccato metallic guitar of “Paul’s Holy Hands” is punkish in its intensity but allied to a spacey synth sound sees the song gradually transform into the kind of narrative guitar-led rock that was the sort of thing American Football produced. Its constant shapeshifting and rhythmic complexity is a joy for people that appreciated the sound of Chicago and it wouldn’t be out of place on Thrill Jockey or Temporary Residence.
The bass is always the anchor though and their sense of slow, brooding insistence is very attractive. “Palm Hero” throws another curve-ball with an Italian spoken word section, the voice sounding learned and meaningful. I recognised a few words and not much else, but it really suits the big spacey riff and subtle piano droplets that lend the tiniest bit of respite. The beauty here is that, although there is an intensity to the group’s sound, there is also space; it is possible to take a breath without being swamped.The album closes with “PSKNSS”, the kind of evocative, shimmering guitar-scape that brings to mind Explosions In The Sky. Although the group and the music always have an objective, it is the journey that is a large part of the songs’ thrill and what makes the listener happy to undertake it with them. It is safe to say that with Due, Monteceneri has shown that they can paint widescreen pictures using the basic tools of rock music and with that ability are able to swell the heart of even the most jaded listener. We can only hope there is more to come.
-Mr Olivetti-
