Conspiracy of Blackness
Pain Therapy
Label: Wormholedeath
Out: September 22nd, 2023
Playing time: 41:05
Conspiracy of Blackness were founded in 2008 by guitarist Antonio Bortone. Until 2018, the band used the unwieldy name “C.O.B.R.A.” (short for “Conspiracy of Blackness and Relative Aftermath”). Well, that’s where the renaming makes sense. Two EPs were released in 2011. The debut album was released in 2016, with the band name spelled out in full as the title. Besides the guitarist, only singer Grazia Riccardo is still on board from the early days. With two new members, the second album “Pain Therapy” was recorded and released in September.
“Oblivion” is a short song as an introduction. Not really an intro but quieter than what can be heard later. It really gets going with “Collapsed”. Here the instrumental section kicks in with full force. Grazia Riccardo’s vocals should be emphasised, rocking and powerful. Here you can also hear deep growls. But whose vocals are they? In the video for “Welcome Death” you can see a hint of one of her comrades-in-arms doing the growls, presumably guitarist Antonio Bortone, who contributes this bitterly evil guttural lute in addition to his lower-pitched guitar sounds. According to singer Grazia Riccardo, she shares this part with the guitarist. “The Bride Of Ash” is partly a quiet ballad, with Grazia’s voice slightly fragile, partly a midtempo rocker with powerful vocals. “Bones” seems hectic over long stretches, especially the guitar sound. “Afterlife” starts with soothing synth and piano sounds. But it increases very quickly. The fast played guitar frys out of the boxes. “The Moth” offers an industrial introduction, before the guitar sound gallops ahead here too. Only the vocals are slowed down. This is partly underlaid with a bass line. The crowning glory is the catchy chorus. “Rise” is a high-speed metal song where the singer easily keeps up the tempo. The regular closing song “Last Man Standing” is again a riff storm. The bonus track “Con Il Nastro Rosa” doesn’t really seem to fit on the album at first, apart from some heavier industrial passages. Here, the Italians cover a Pop song by their compatriot Lucio Battisti, one of the most influential and innovative representatives of Italian Pop music. At least vocally, this version is very close to the original. Instrumentally, however, it is much harder.
Despite various Industrial and Techno touches, Metal clearly dominates on “Pain Therapy”. In my opinion, Grazia Riccardo’s vocals are the most distinctive. But her colleagues on the instruments also perform well. The album can definitely be called successful. Above all, because they clearly distinguish themselves from the otherwise typical Italian Rock sounds, no opera vocals, no broad keyboard carpets.
Conspiracy of Blackness – Welcome Death (Official Music Video): https://youtu.be/L-fs4n0xImw?si=wr1h7VeceKz9U_br
Lineup:
Antonio Bortone – Guitar
Grazia Riccardo – Vocals
Andrea Caliri – Bass
Francesco Salerno – Drums
Track list:
- Oblivion
- Collapsed
- Welcome Death
- The Bride Of Ash
- Bones
- Afterlife
- The Moth
- Rise
- Last Man Standing
- Con Il Nastro Rosa (Lucio Battisti Cover – Bonus Track)
Overall Rating : 8/10
