Review: Monteceneri ‘Due’ EP

The allure of post-rock bands has captivated me for many years, drawing me in with their mesmerising instrumental compositions that evoke a spectrum of emotions. The way these bands weave together their very own crown of sound, using only a handful of carefully chosen notes, is nothing short of spellbinding. At times, their music envelops me in a soothing sense of tranquillity, like gentle waves lapping at the shore on a serene summer day. In other moments, the very same notes can stir up a restless energy within, as if mirroring the frenetic pace of modern life.

Monteceneri 'Due' Artwork
Monteceneri ‘Due’ Artwork

Yet through it all, there is an undercurrent of deliberate, conscious beauty that permeates every melody and rhythm. It’s a beauty that doesn’t demand attention but rather invites us to pause and savour each delicate sonic detail. In the absence of lyrics, the instruments themselves become the storytellers, painting vivid pictures and stirring up profound feelings with each crescendo and diminuendo. This is the magic of post-rock – the ability to communicate deep truths and stir the soul using only the raw materials of sound itself.

Monteceneri, a captivating post-rock quartet born amidst the vibrant, pulsating Italian metropolitan city of Milan, possesses an innate ability to weave a mesmerising crown of sound that effortlessly intertwines the ethereal, dreamlike beauty of cinematic atmospheres with the raw, unbridled power of experimental rock.

The very name of the band, as eloquently elucidated by bassist Markus Sotto Corona, pays homage to both a renowned Milanese thoroughfare and the intrinsic duality that permeates their musical oeuvre –  ‘monte’ evoking the majesty and grandeur of a mountain, while ‘ceneri’ conjures images of the ashen remnants left in the wake of a transformative blaze.

This dichotomy is masterfully embodied within the band’s compositions, which seamlessly oscillate between soaring, expansive soundscapes that engulf the listener in a profound sense of liberation and boundless possibility, and introspective, almost solitary passages that beckon one to embark upon a journey of self-discovery and inner reflection.

The rich work of Monteceneri‘s sonic palette is further enhanced by the masterful keyboard work of Pask, whose contributions, prior to his departure following the recording of their latest Due EP, imbue the music with quasi-symphonic flourishes and subtle electronic undercurrents that add depth and texture to the band’s already captivating sound.

The full extent of the band’s prodigious musical capacity is on display in their debut singles, Heimweh and Plan O, both released to critical acclaim in 2021 and the equally impressive Evo, which followed in 2022. These glistening sonic gems serve as a testament to the band’s unparalleled skill and singular vision, as they deftly weave together disparate musical influences – most notably those of post-rock luminaries Mogwai, particularly evident in their use of spoken word elements – into a cohesive and utterly captivating whole.

expertly guiding the listener through a dizzying carousel ride of sonic textures and emotions…

With their latest four-track EP Due, the band embarks on an enthralling musical journey that deviates from the sound that defined their initial trio of singles and instead ventures into more rhythmic and weightier sonic territories while still retaining ambient and electronic flourishes.

The opening and standout track, Call Of The Void, is a mesmerising and entrancing composition that evokes the atmospheric post-rock of Los Angeles’ Red Sparowes, enhanced with a touch of Vangelis-esque synthesisers that add an ethereal sheen. This immersive soundscape seamlessly flows into the second track, Paul’s Holy Hands, which unleashes a potent fusion of motorik krautrock and grandiose symphonic prog rock, a combination that sends shivers down the spine and sets the hairs on end.

The four musicians display an uncanny chemistry and virtuosity, expertly guiding the listener through a dizzying carousel ride of sonic textures and emotions. Each track is imbued with a profound sense of beauty, a testament to the band’s craftsmanship and artistic vision.

Palm Hero is a particularly beguiling piece, featuring an intricate rainbow of sounds that alternately intertwine and dissolve, shifting between moments of tranquillity, anger, liberation, and venality. Amidst this sonic maelstrom, a spoken word passage emerges, delivering a poignant political commentary on human rights, the exploitation of the working class, and the pervasive injustice that plagues society.

The EP concludes with PSKNSS, an enigmatically titled track that wraps the listener in a blissful atmospheric embrace, providing a sense of mental respite and lightheartedness after the intense musical and thematic journey. Over the course of thirty-two minutes, they demonstrate a remarkable ability to craft a cohesive and compelling musical narrative, one that lingers in the mind long after the final notes have faded away.

Monteceneri’s Due EP is the perfect soundtrack for late-night drives or introspective headphone sessions, inviting the listener to lose themselves in the music’s hypnotic embrace. With this new work, they have crafted a compelling introduction to their world, one that promises even greater heights to come.

Label: Lady Lovely Records
Band Links: Facebook | Bandcamp | Spotify | Instagram

Scribed by: Domenico ‘Mimmo’ Caccamo