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PONTE DEL DIAVOLO - DE VENOM NATURA
Releasing February 13th via Season of Mist - A deep dive into the unique noise that is known best as blackened punk, De Venom Natura marks Ponte del Dialovo’s second full-length album. It is heavy and sensual in its nature, charming one to listen deeper and reflect upon its message, ensnaring listeners with a siren-like magnetism and sharpened claws. Its vague, poetic lyrics tell a story of life, love and death in all forms.
Mystically bewitching, Ponte del Diavolo drag you calmly into their realm of sound, allowing for expression and to become slowly enraptured and possessed by their spell. Like a sorceress casting a hex, it is addictive and creeps with a slow burn into the mind, an outstretched seduction towards the gentle yet foreboding void.
Erba del Diavolo’s voice sustains and echoes in layers shifting from dulcet tones, strong sustains and haunted warbling to sudden smooth growls, her versatility demonstrated in creepy opening track “Every Tongue Has Its Thorns”. Breath-work between verses is intense in the track “Spirit, Blood, Poison, Ferment!”, bringing theatrical aspects to an already blackened sound, akin to a witch calling upon energies at a ritual. The vocals are enchanting, growls spaced out to give maximum impact when they strike. It is a treat to hear lyrics in both Italian and English throughout the album.
The uncommon usage of a dual-bass setup layers the album well and allows the instruments to be appreciated for what they are; they have a deep groove reminiscent of 1980s gothic dark and new wave, flowing into more technical black metal with less definition, adding body to the more intense highs. “Il veleno della Natura” is a classic example of the shift between the two. Both Abro and Kratom’s bass contributions shape this sound and it comes to life in “Delta-9” – a song based in doom influences with its slow, looming ominousness and usage of spoken word. The repetition is strong and hypnotic before it shifts into a more constant, noisy sound. Delta is a slow, spiralling journey and the bass really emphasises the atmosphere.
Segale Cornuta’s heavy drumming varies in time signature, a balance of cymbals, kick drums and some blast beats iconic of the genre that pulse throughout. The pacing is measured well, reserved for highs and lows through the alternating tracks, creating a cohesive, serpentine pattern between the subtle genre twists.
Nerium’s guitar matches intensity with noisy and aggressive riffing for the more blackened aspects, with heavier songs like “Every Tongue Has Its Thorns” and “Silence Walk With Me” showing full potential of the instrument. Sustained notes and lightly distorted chords manifest in the dives towards doom, ascending in pace for that streak of energetic punk sound. It is rhythmic and lifted by the dual-bass backing, adding a passionate punch to the craft.
The collaborative sound that is Ponte del Diavolo create an album that’s easy to listen to and absorb, regardless of the weight of its brooding subject matter and tension. De Venom Natura is an ambitious abstract fusion of doom, punk and wave genres, a gritty listen with dark lyrical themes and a beautifully sinister sound. It is delightfully gothic and rebellious, equal parts morbid and catchy. A fairly short production, it is well worth the time to listen.
SCORE 9.5/10
Reviewed by GhostinthearmouR