‘Velato senso di colpa, Condanno le mie stesse azioni, Comiencio a sentir freddo, Invischiato in questa non vita’ (Imperfetto, Sii Imperfetto) / ‘Veiled sense of guilt, I condemn my own actions, I begin to feel cold, Entangled in this non-life’ (Imperfect, Be Imperfect)

I’ll cut straight to the chase here – this is an absolute belter.  Pisco Galera hail from Venice and Memorie Di Occhi Grigi (Memories Of Grey Eyes) follows up their 2021 debut album, Le Stanze Della Mente (The Rooms Of The Mind).  The vinyl release suffered quite a few delays, but I steadfastly resisted the digital option and I’m glad that I did.  Since it landed, the utterly visceral slap that it has delivered every time I have dropped the needle has been more than worth the wait.

The band’s base sound remains rooted in early 1980s’ Italian hardcore, a vivid reimagining of the raw, chaotic inventiveness that defined the era of Wretched and Negazione.  They then viciously mesh it with influences drawn from the similarly futuristic instincts that emerged later that decade in the form of technical leaning thrash metal.  A dissonant tapestry of fiercely unhinged riffage and filthily extravagant solos.  It’s as if Coroner woke up one morning and thought, stuff a lifetime of ceaselessly honed precision, let’s just let it rip!  There is also a third element, a touch less strident, but no less important.  A restless, agitated instinct for experimentation – one that is art punk in inclination, yet utterly atavistic in energy.

Pisco Galera succeed in bringing this all together with a manically gleeful abandon, somehow without everything careering out of control.  There are so many moments to relish.  The frenzied solo that erupts during Imperfetto, Sii Imperfetto.  The searing riff that defines Le Cattive Maniere (Bad Manners).  The rhythmic chant that closes out Chiodi, Punte & Fibbie (Nails, Spikes, And Buckles).  The serpentine grooves of the melody fuelled Lacrime & Pioggia (Tears And Rain).  Meanwhile, the effects distorted vocals are delivered with a bracing gusto as they dissect a society that seeks to hollow us out through the controls, both physical and illusory, of economic extraction, oppressive traditions, and social division.