GEOMETRIC VISION
Dream
It's well-known that today's dark scene is swarming with merely imitators of the models that worked well in the past, but nevertheless revival is also bringing with it some newcomers who are definitely worth discovering. To the light of their debut album "Dream", the Italians Geometric Vision demonstrate their belonging to that select group. The band had its origins when Ago Giordano - synths / drum machine / vox - began to write a handful of songs in 2012, drafting in the classic wave spirit but also incorporating minimalist and modern-day touches. Finally, the line-up grew to a trio when Gennaro Campanile - bass - and Roberto Amato - guitar - joined him, pushing their styling and substance into something more relevant. Post-Punk, New Wave, Minimal Synth and Cold Wave are the touchstones of their music and therefore it holds such a particular Goth-pioneer charm even sounding 21st Century. So, "Chant d'Automne" could not be more appropriate to introduce this record. "Bientôt nous plongerons dans les froides ténèbres; ..." - "Soon we shall plunge into the cold darkness; ...". Indeed, Baudelaire's recited verses are like a declaration of intent and, along with the programmed backdrop of swirls and distortions, set up an icy atmosphere which will accompany us throughout the whole listening. "Solitude of the Trees" comes next, as an epitome of New Wave and early 80s' Post-Punk experimentations with synths. It's force and hook dwell in the brilliant alchemy among dramatic moans, energetic machines and driving, rapid bass pulsations. It's a first-class, strong candidate for club spinning and gives off a pleasant 'analogic' fragance. The same could be said about "Stranger", calling from the past through meandering chords, groovy rhythms and cool up-and-down vocals, and "Never Stop the Dance", more synth-oriented, with torn, scarce voices weaving within the processed layers as another instrument. Geometric Vision's formula is quite clear, but it offers a surprising varied musical spectrum. The sleek ringing riffs on the bittersweet "We Have No Time" or the inventive arrangements and pristine guitars on the boundless "In My Cold Room" are illustrative examples of that. Another highlight is "Skies", whose delicate instrumentations succeed blending together Synth's sensuality and Wave's melodic power. Such creativity in simplicity evidence that the Italians know how to write songs, those that stay in your head willingly or not and that you'll still whistling in later days. "I'm in Space" makes apology of dance through crisp electronic beats, while sweeping synths provide enough atmosphere to be carried away. The hectic "Two Rums (i miss you) Four Rums (i lost you)" seems to embody the French post-New Wave sound, as paying tribute to influential bands such as Kas Product. The trip comes to an end in a languorous, letany-like way. It is no coincidence that "Dream" gives its title to the album, and neither is that it fits perfectly as a closing parenthesis. The cold darkness we were immersed at the beginning, progressively vanishes while leaving an eerie silence behind it. The epilogue is yet another proof of Geometric Vision's coherent experimentation, which cunningly balances density with atmosphere, rhythm with melody, past with future. Somehow, "Dream" is able to catch up the lost authenticity while opening a reliable route to the dark wave which is yet to come.
Review by Billyphobia
- 01. Chant d'Automne
- 02. Solitude of the Trees
- 03. Never Stop the Dance
- 04. We Have No Time
- 05. Skies
- 06. In My Cold Room
- 07. Two Rums (I miss you) Four Rums (I lost you)
- 08. Stranger
- 09. I'm in Space
- 10. Dream