Involving works of immersive electronics, tracks with nods to past genres and masters with a sinister sonorous twist.
Alessandro Parisi has gone from an unnoticeable trickle of releases to an outright deluge. The Italian artist follows his recent 2LP, the superb Draconia on Switzerland’s Lux Rec, with a new album. Hic Sunt Leones sees Parisi remain in his homeland, the CD album being picked up by those nice people at Minimal Rome.
The analogue grandeur that marked Draconia is present from the outset. The haunting chords of “Ancient of Days” open. Soundtrack splendor is once again employed, Parisi recalling the vivid hardware vistas of Vangelis and Tangerine dream for an incredible opener. Electro Disco enters with the coiling keys of “Crocea Mors” but the darkroom horrors are never far away. “La Guerra di Namtar” claws the listener back into nightmarish jaws. Parisi utilizes patience and subtly when painting his machinations, slow pulsing melodies are supported by drum machine rolls and an intoxicating quality that draws the audience ever deeper. The Italian artist isn’t afraid to inject some dancefloor energy when needed, “Positron Gladio” maintaining the warbling but utilising claps and snares for extra muscle. The track that will arguably turn the most heads is the closer, “Gabriel’s Horn.” A slow and emotive epic of Pop streaked electronics with sweet vocals deepening the finale into something fantastical.
Hic Sunt Leones is an extension of the sounds explored by Parisi in Draconia. Involving works of immersive electronics, tracks with nods to past genres and masters with a sinister sonorous twist. Hopefully a taste of more to come from this able addendum to the electronic artist roster.
Hic Sunt Leones is available on Minimal Rome. [Clone release page]
