Italian duo MESMERICO was formed in 2001, and was an active live unit until they broke up sometime around 2010, frequently collaborating with other artists. “Magnete” is the sole legacy of their activities, and was released by Octopus Records in 2009.
In a spell of albums that have thrown me a number of items difficult to describe in an accurate manner, Mesmerico is something of an exceptional case I guess. This is a band that fits the experimental description to a T, and within a progressive rock context I imagine that avant-garde will do the trick quite nicely. But beyond that I do find myself in fairly unknown and strange territories.
At the heart of this bands compositions I guess you might argue that we’re dealing with a hardcore band. Pacefilled, simplistic and aggressive excursions with shouted vocals, banging brutal rhythms and loud frantic guitar riffs of a kind that doesn’t really demand any finesse as such. But the additional elements this band adds to their stew are the ones that makes descriptions somewhat more challenging.
Gentle psychedelic details by way of guitars, electronics and effects is another common and recurring feature, as well as darker, doom-laden varieties of these. In addition a fair few noisescapes are thrown in, some of them with a basis in the aforementioned hardcore-oriented sequences and others with just as a firm a base in the psychedelic oriented movements. Frequently alternating between all of these. Vocal effects is another feature thrown into the mix, from psychedelic dripping layered nonverbal ones to spoken and whispered utterances. Not an extensive part of the proceedings, but a feature still.
The 10 compositions featured on this album are by and large all lo-fi constructions of the kind where you’ll have to expect the unexpected. A wide taste in music and a soft spot for challenging, demanding and especially aggressive music is needed to enjoy this album. Those who fits this description will get an unusual sonic experience to explore. Perhaps not always brilliant or stylistically innovative, but then again you can’t really describe any of these compositions as uninteresting either. An unusual album suited to a very select audience I imagine.
My rating: 64/100
