"It’s not common for a debut album to receive unanimous consensus, and the reason why this Ianva first full length has all the numbers of a high profile release is due to the fact that all the members of this project have in fact multiple experiences on their CV in a whole range of Italian dark and avant-garde projects, even metal bands. The sound they conjure up in Disobbedisco! is pretty unique and there’s no single point of reference in modern music to compare them to. On the other hand, they draw substantially from a wide range of elements that have historically made up the spine of Italian musical heritage, not least the strong Italian folk tradition, but not only. They draw and create a "green-grey" mixture that is a totally fitting soundtrack to the concept elected as theme of this fantastic album. Yes, it is a concept album. When was last time you heard one? I can’t recall myself. If the though scares you (and even more on the grounds that this is entirely sung in Italian), don’t despair: on musical grounds only, this is a masterpiece moulding nostalgic, popular and melancholic moods with a taste of heroic actions in a military context. The concept lives in the aftermath of WWI and around the controversial destiny reserved to the town of Fiume, that a group of "Arditi" leaded by poet and war air hero Gabriele D’Annunzio tried -bloodily and in vain- to rescue into the boundaries of Italy. There’s a love story going on, one of the forbidden type, where an Italian Major falls in love with a passionate woman that was in fact a spy from the enemy. One of the most striking qualities of this album is the richness of the musical arrangements, that easily reveal the rich background of the band members. Their interpretation of the different moods pertinent to the different chapters of the story is impeccable and you really don’t need to understand the lyrics to be absorbed in this voyage in a troubled past, although, obviously, it’s a bonus if you do. Military drumming underlines the opening chapter, dedicated to the battle of Vittorio Veneto, the closing event of WWI. Wailing trumpets, accordion embroideries, sad piano lines, subtle basslines, synth backdrops and effects, vocal samples are all combined in countless combinations to give life to this epic opus of sadness. Throughout the album, lead vocals are provided by Mercy also known for being the vocalist of acclaimed Italian outfits Helden Rune and Malombra and are a commanding asset of the album, and let me tell you that it wouldn’t work the way it does without his unique interpretation of the main character, Major Renzi. Female counterpart and hot object of desire Elettra Stravos is interpreted by Stefania T. D’Alterio, who gives birth to her character, and an impression to last, in a single track, that is a tango, the right carrier of her flamboyance. As unfair as it might be in this context to single out tracks for praise, I can’t help but point to La Ballata dell’Ardito and Di Nuovo In Armi as two uplifting and outstanding pieces of military-tinted folk noir that you’d find hard to remove from your memory for days. At least I do! Traditi is a very emotional piece that stands out as well, featuring D’Annunzio speaking to his legion after having realised that the Italian "brothers" were up to bomb their ass out of the town after all, rather than fulfilling the dream for which they were fighting and scarifying so much. Fuoco A Fiume depicts the final moments before the demise in solemn orchestral fashion and is the most dramatic moment of the album, yet not the closing one. Ianva are in many ways much atypical, not least for being a 9-piece outfit. Not only they stray from any established contemporary schemes, they successfully manage to bring the past into the present, both in terms of concept and practical interpretation. And on the stage too: in fact, I discovered this surprising album as they performed it at a festival in Switzerland last year (see Triumvirat Festival review) and it was love at first sight. Comprehensive notes, lyrics translations and information about the album and its concept are available online at www.illevriero.it". (Gianfri)
Our biggest thnx to Gianfri & all Darklife Zine Staff
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