Tenebra – Moongazer
Release Date: 29th April 2022
Label: New Heavy Sounds
Bandcamp
Genre: Stoner Rock, Blues, Occult Rock.
FFO: Graveyard, Witchcraft, Kadaver, The Sword.
Review By: Jason James
The city of Bologna in Italy has around 400,000 inhabitants with 150 different nationalities. In 2019, out of this melting pot rose Tenebra, who are now releasing their new album Moongazer.
Their music is an instant throwback, while being securely rooted in the here and now. Mesca’s accomplished drumming is garnished by Claudio Troise’s booming bass and Emilio Toreggiani’s filthy, smoky guitar. And then, on top of this deadly but sexy sonic concoction comes raspy incantations from Silvia Fennino.
Sylvia Fennino’s voice is something to behold. It is almost an event all by itself. She sounds as if she has just finished a pack of cigarettes while drinking straight scotch and gargling gravel. All while being able to sing VERY well. I could just imagine the 3 guys having a totally different sound – until they heard Sylvia sing. Then the lightbulb went on above their heads… “Stoner Rock. Definitely Bluesy Stoner Rock!” Her singing sounds effortless, while at the same time sounding like it takes all the power she possesses to wail her siren song.
Put all these ingredients together, and it makes for one hell of an experience. Moongazer is a great example of that bluesy foundation. Emilio’s echoey, woolly guitar starts Heavy Crusher, the first track on the album. A simple riff to begin, joined by some trills from Mesca’s cymbals in time with Claudio’s bass, before Sylvia lets you know with her first words that this is not going to be as laid back as the intro suggests. Black Lace and Winds of Change slow it right down, the latter in particular allowing Emilio to cut loose with a soaring solo in the breakdown. The last two tracks, Dark and Distant Sky and the single from the album, Moon Maiden, pick the pace up again and bring the album to a close with a bang. I enjoyed this album a lot.
I don’t know if I would go out of my way to go and see this band, personally, but if they were the support for a band I did want to see, I would be more than happy. I couldn’t imagine watching this band in the modern age. Their brand of melodious noise invokes a bygone era of smoke-filled bars filled with people whose wardrobe primarily consists of leather and have a penchant for vehicles with two wheels rather than four. You could imagine them playing a set and then hanging out backstage with the likes of Jim Morrison or Marc Bolan. That’s not to say that they are not suited to now, though.
(4 / 5)
