The Uncarved Block
The Magazine dedicated to Unsigned
and Independent-Label bands
Gramma Vedetta
"A.C.I.D Compliant" EP
*** RELEASED 3RD JULY 2020 ***
We have been waiting in anticipation for the latest release from Gramma Vedetta, and this EP doesn't disappoint. Described as an interim release in preparation for their planned full album, the current world situation has forced their hand into showcasing this to keep us sated! The project was begun at the end of 2019, into January 2020, when they recruited new drummer Dan S. and set out to record a full length. Sadly, the Virus madness caused a change of plans for everyone, and we are thankful for this little treat to shine a ray of light in the darkness.
"Hangup My Boots" kicks off A.C.I.D Compliant, continuing where 2018's "Proof Of Concept" left off (See our review below). It has a doom-laden intro, that builds up, getting heavier, as we feel our space-ship about to take off. Big riffs (played by Dan Murroni) ignite, followed by the heavy bass-line (courtesy of Marco Basetti) and encapsulating drumming that mix explosively - fuel for the rocket boosters, as Star-ship Vedetta blasts off. Dan's vocals taunt us, menacing and questioning, as the incredible G-forces impale us, before the soaring chorus helps us clear the cloud cover into the pale blue expanse. The song ends with powerful guitar solos that finally break us through the atmosphere, leaving all the craziness of planet earth behind.
"Porthole" has a cleaner tone to the guitars, and a more laid back blues-jazz (almost folk) feel to the rhythm. Marco's bass really stands out, adding a fantastic melody to the smooth, off-hand guitar. The band say they were looking for a more sci-fi feel to the EP, and with this song you can really imagine floating in your tin can, far above the world, looking down at the earth through tiny windows; in the blackness of space chilling out with this song! Dan's vocals are more muted here, perhaps simulating the effect of singing through the radio communications system, speaking to those left behind, analysing life's mysteries and probing their inner demons as they realise there is no turning back.
"Lucid Dream" is a real kick of deep blues, and very apt for this period of human history. The band explain that they wrote and remotely recorded this track during the pandemic when
"all the world went on standby. And we wrote our own spacey blues song over lyrics about this weird and continuous lucid dream."
Hopefully we will all soon wake up and realise it was, after all, just a dream! This track comes with a great video rendition that can be seen below.
The title of track four - "Everything Is Terrible And The House Is On Fire" - is almost as long as the song itself! This short 1 minute 37 second nugget was originally written last year as a theme song for the music industry podcast "Dumb and Dumbest" hosted by Matt Bacon, Curtis Dewar and Keith Chachkes on Ghost Cult Magazine. The feedback was so positive that the band decided to release it as a separate track on Bandcamp, and then add it as the EP finale.
So we have been treated to the signature fuzz and overdrive, beefy bass and heavy drums that we love so much from Gramma Vedetta, but they also have shown us another side to their music; and not only that, you would be forgiven for your disbelief when I tell you this EP was completely DIY! They recorded, mixed and mastered all four tracks themselves, and even found the time to record the "Lockdown" video for "Lucid Dream" (see below). The excellent artwork compliments the EP's sound, and reinforces the sci-fi vibe, as the band explain:
"It’s a link between the past and the future. A bridge between what we were and what we will be."
Andy
"Proof Of Concept" by Gramma Vedetta
(2019 Review)
Imagine if Black Sabbath and The Offspring collaborated for an album, and you will go some way to understanding the sound of Gramma Vedetta. Dark rock undertones expressed in an energetic and uplifting style, awesome riffs, clever signature time-changes and an impressive understanding of the rock-genre song structure, all combine in this album, endorsing the fact that Gramma Vendetta are held in high esteem by their peers.
The first track is "Behind The Blinds," which begins with a brief build up, showcasing Dan's effortless riffing style on guitar, before the bass of Basetta joins in to beef up the tension, leading into the frantic double bass-pedal drumming of Valadis. The song explodes like a rock monster finally breaking free from the depths of the earth; with more of those fantastic riffs, explosive drumming, and powerful bass lines, making it instantly memorable, demonstrating the skillful song-writing abilities already mentioned - this song takes you on a trip, highlighting all the required elements of a classic rock tune.
Next up is "The Glitch" that has a more power-punk/grunge feel to it, with a fast bass and drum tempo and intense guitar licks leading into power-chord action. The energy of this song dares you to stand still and not jump around in punk abandon - I tried, but failed every time. And the energy doesn't stop as it leads into the even faster "Taranto Train To Toronto Town" which comes towards you at the speed of a Japanese Bullet Train. The chanted verse is sung in (what I am guessing is) Italian, the native language of singer Dan, before Basetta treats us to a well needed bass-guitar solo, breaking up the intensity for a moment to catch our breath - presumably whilst the train is sitting at the station.
After this onslaught of punk-fueled power we are given a more darker song, entitled "The Other Side" and apparently "it's not so bad" there. This track even exposes some great use of effects on the guitar, that give a slightly spooky, goth-rock feel to the solos, adding another layer to the Gramma Vedetta cake. And then the album turns everything on it's head, with "She (Has A Plan)" which has a warm, friendly feel to it, reminiscent of the style of 90s band Terrorvision - the jagged distortion coupled with the jaunty beat and tongue-in-cheek vocals ensures this a song to make you smile.
"Address Unknown" once again plunges us into the Sabbath darkness and it is here Dan uncomfortably tells us he knows about our secret (oh well, I might as well come out and admit it then - yes, I own the entire Celine Dione back catalogue. There...... happy now?) The bass is clunky and eerie, leading into riffs that are Iommi-esque, with the thunder and lightening of the drums adding extra intensity. More superb time signature changes and a well-worked instrumental (complete with a howling wind to accompany the storm) in the middle make this a really deep and dark tune that'll keep you coming back for more. Each listen uncovers another gem of musicianship that was missed the previous time.
The album is rounded off with the laid-back number, called "Oxygen" which continues in the style of "She (Has A Plan)." Dan's acoustic intro, combined with the (politically incorrect and yet somewhat ironic) vocals "to smoke a cigarette" leads you into a false sense of camp-fire security, before the band joins in for the crescendo ending, where the guitar howls like a wolf in the distance.
This album does a fantastic job of displaying Gramma Vedetta's range and skill in creating rock music. It contains all the ingredients required for an epic live show - energy and passion, highs and lows, and the desire to push the limits of the genre. The three of them found each other through of love of music, and as they explain on their Facebook page "Grunge isn’t dead, it just relocated to the mighty British underground, ready to be born again."
Let the resurrection begin........
Andy (without the help of Celine Dione)