A big surprise fluttered out of the underground into my CD Player. With "Undressed Momento" the Italian Klimt 1918 released their first official album via My Kingdom Music after several demos (as Another Day - Mery's note) and a promotion-cd. And everyone who likes ambitious dark rock music should get in touch with it.
Italy seems to be a good breeding ground for Gothic Rock and Metal. Next to ordinary Even Vast, outstanding Dakrua and of course Lacuna Coil, the guys in company of singer and guitar player Marco Soellner request attention as well, though sailing rather calm waters compared to their native competitors.
The four Italians (Marco's brother Paolo play the drums, Alessandro Pace the other guitar and Davide Pesola the bass guitar) differ skillfully between matured Melancholy Pop and Gothic Rock. Sometimes even Metal jingles in guitar riffs or in one of the rare double bass parts. Influences may be Anathema ("Pale Song", "If only you could see me now"), The Cure ("Naif Watercolour") or the softer side of Tiamat. And always Klimt 1918 gives an eye to bands like U2 or Fields of the Nephilim. Marco sings in a smoky middle pitch. Girls will like it very much because his probably cute accent does not miss to put a cuddly colour into his interpretations. But luckily Marco does not want to be a new infernal majesty.
If you want to test the album I recommend the varied "That Girl" and the Metal influenced and therefore untypical "Stalingrad Theme". With their debut Klimt 1918 present an album which stands up to the current releases of Moonspell and Tiamat. Autumn definitely starts furiously for all dark rockers.