Short Reviews [Malombra - 2023 - "T.R.E.S."]

Italian dark gothic progressive band Malombra were formed in the Nineties, but there was a five-year gap between their second and third albums, by which time only singer Mercy was still there with the rest of the band being a new line-up. I enjoyed that album, ‘The Dissolution Age’ (I reviewed it when it was released back in 2001), but after that there was no more. Imagine my surprise when I heard that Black Widow Records were releasing a new album by Malombra, which is actually an old album. The initial recordings used here took place between 1997 and 1998 (which was after the second album), but due to various reasons they were not used for the third, and the recording and mixing has now been completed by the current line-up. I actually cannot find details of the current line-up, so do not know who is involved these days, but they have been gigging so hopefully this means that there is a chance of more music on the horizon. Technically I guess this could be viewed as a third album as opposed to a fourth, given the bones of this was recorded in the Nineties, but it has been completed with 20+ years of more experience. I thoroughly enjoyed ‘The Dissolution Age’, and as soon as I knew this was being released, I knew I had to hear it as there is something quite distinct and different about their sound, and this does not disappoint whatsoever in that regard. Their form of prog is incredibly dark and gothic, so much so that they even appear on Encyclopaedia Metallum, who are incredibly discerning as to who they allow in, yet also appear on ProgArchives. They have a keyboard sound which sounds as if it has been ripped out of the Seventies, while Mercy has been inspired by Peter Steele, and they combine this with Bauhaus, Nick Cave, and overbearing layers to create something which is dark and timeless, yet never sounding modern. Malombra have created their own sound, and it is great to hear a “new” album from them after so many years. I am looking forward to hearing what the current line-up is going to deliver, soon, I hope.