BONNIE TRASH – MALOCCHIO
Perfect for Halloween but a damnably fine listen at any time.
Sometimes, just occasionally, something comes along that is so unexpected it leaves me lost for words. When I first heard of a band called Bonnie Trash, I was expecting some kind of ’80’s sleaze rock revival in the vein of Hanoi Rocks or Vain, which I would have welcomed with open arms. This is something far more – and far darker - than that.
The PR blurb talks of dark and atmospheric heavy rock for fans of the likes of Chelsea Wolfe. Frankly, that does this down. Canadian-Italian twin sisters Emmalia (guitar) and Sarafina (vocals/drums) Bortolon-Vettor bring together recordings of their grandmother’s tales and lyrics based on the folklore of the sisters’ Italian heritage with music that mixes proper, old-school goth with heavy rock, darkwave and post-rock. The results is something intense, dark, eldritch but melodic and singalong catchy.
Sarafina’s vocals recall Lauri (The Rasmus) Ylönen, Rosie (March Violets) Garland and PJ Harvey. The music is a wall of sound combining elements of Black Sabbath, Chameleons, Paradise Lost and Godspeed You! Black Emperor.
If I have any criticisms, the mostly excellent vocals are occasionally a touch overwrought for my tastes, whilst the songs can get a little repetitious and a couple are a minute or so too long. Those are, however, minor complaints and this is a striking, enjoyably creepy debut album from a band with a very promising future.
9/10
