I’ve always loved soundtracks and instrumental albums in general. This has been a great year for instrumental Death Metal and Dark Wave and these Italian maniacs have crafted a second amaze-balls album aptly named Gothron Vs Fartark. Apparently, there’s a story going on between these alien forces… It’s mind blowing, indeed. From the press release: Set in a sci-fi context, the album narrates an epic battle between two robotic entities, Gothron and Fartark, fighting for the survival of their respective worlds and control of the Logtark world. Through a series of trials and challenges, Gothron, the saga’s protagonist, ultimately defeats Fartark, preventing the destruction of the universe.

First track “Gothron Ars, Gothron Ars Eem (Gothron Rise, Gothron Rise Now!)” Is a grinding mind fuck straight away, keyboards and synths collide with earthshaking rhythms.

There’s a bit of early Ghost in some of their psychedelics and that’s perfectly fine. “Crossing The Wormhole” pulls a keyboard harmony that reminds me of “Genesis” from Opus Eponymous. This sounds exactly like what being in the Event Horizon would sound like. There’s a billion twinkling stars in Gotho’s universe. They get into a Cosmic Jazz groove on “First Fight In Planet Disco Dance” I swear this is an incredibly enjoyable record. It’s heavy as elephant balls but at the same time its insanity swarming in the music’s heart and I can’t not love it enough.

“Mystical Training In Bothron Lamarovna’s Cave After Death” is another killer track where there’s some nice Ghost themes in the keyboards. I also hear some Vomitron thrashing in the background as well.

Gothron Versus Fartark was recorded by Danilo Battocchio at El Fish Studio, mixed by Danilo Battocchio at Deepest Sea Studio (Hierophant, Tons, Tutti), mastered by Brad Boatright at Audiosiege (Obituary, Nails, The Armed), and completed with cover art by the Malleus Rock Art Lab. The artwork is as sick as their first album Mindbowling.

“Celebration Of Gothron’s Victory Playing The Stardust Bells” melds perfectly into “Celebration Of Gothron’s Power Playing The Space-Noir-Trumpet” they’re just so goddamn talented, two dudes; Fabio Cuomo (Elder, Eremite, Liquido Di Morte) on synthesizers and electric piano and Andrea Peracchia (Tons, Dogs For Breakfast, Slaiver) on drums, making this journey heavier than the darkest matter.

“Re-Crossing The Wormhole Using A Little Quantic Drum” and “Gothron Armsten! (Let’s Bow To Gothron’s Power!)” close out this mind-bending piece of Italian… whatever the hell this is. Is it Death Metal? There’s some killer blasting on the former track and the instruments have the crunch of Death Metal however, it’s largely electronics with so  many genres clashing together like waves.

Based on the time it’s taken to fully digest Gothron Versus Fartark, I can recommend it for the eclectic minded amongst you, constant readers. Nightmare Jazz explorations into the deepest parts of the mind, body and soul. If you like Zombi, Goblin and Vangelis this is right up your tree.

 

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