MinimalRome are starting 2015 like they ended 2014, with some absorbing and atmospheric electronic music. These machine musicians have carved out an album of intense and insular tracks, works for never made narratives and unheard tales.
As we drown in top “insert figure” of 2014 it can be easy for some labels to be forgotten, especially those whose output was less voluminous in the past twelve months. MinimalRome had one release in 2014, and it’s in my top five albums, but let’s not allow ourselves to get bogged down in those interminable lists. The New Year sees the Italian imprint return to vinyl with Enter The Plague.
Five like-minded artists have been gathered. Heinrich Dressel, Anton Maiovvi, Umberto, Alessandro Parisi and Vercetti Technicolor. With such a collection to guess the style being explored isn’t too taxing; untold analogue movie scores. But this quintet assembles some of the best in this specialized field. Haunting harmonies are countered with warm washes and spiking synthlines. Heinrich Dressel opens the LP with the gallant, soaring sounds of “La Peste.” Maiovvi follows with a rich and multifaceted piece of 80s stalking. Despite their film base, these tracks are not devoid of rhythm. Beats are used to support meandering chords, a steady pulse being the paving stones for the eclipsed and sepulchral tones of Umberto’s “The American Dream Plague.” Parisi turns up the energy amplifier, sharping keys punctured by crashing snares. It’s the final contributor that dons the darkest mask. Vercetti Technicolor, the Giallo Disco founder, is out for blood in a tough and terrified assault, a last stand before the plague consumes all.
MinimalRome are starting 2015 like they ended 2014, with some absorbing and atmospheric electronic music. These machine musicians have carved out an album of intense and insular tracks, works for never made narratives and unheard tales.
Enter The Plague is available on MinimalRome.
