Grave Closure and The X, both the brainchildren of composer and producer Lua Ascari, have released a combined album entitled "They Walk Amongst Us". Acting as a sort of compendium for both projects, there is definitely no shortage of variety on the album. Hailing from Italy, Luca Ascari combines elements and inspiration from Goth, Post-punk, Industrial, EBM, and even ambient noise similar to Sunn O)))). The genius of his compositions is that each song is so varied that no two efforts sound alike, skipping from genre to genre so fluidly, as if a portal between the two worlds is there for him to hop from at his whim. The album opens with the title track, and plays like your standard song you'd find at a classic Goth night. Bauhaus-esque tight basslines and droning vocals embellish the jangly guitars and atmospheric synths. Followed immediately "Shock Noise", we are treated to a sudden shift in dynamic, where our ears are assailed by fuzz drenched harsh electronics and a pounding beat that accompanies sampled sound bites. "The Industrial Revolution" is a purely instrumental track that injects a refreshing bit of funk into the mix with one of the grooviest basslines I've heard in quite some time. The shuffling beat that backs it will surely move you all the way down to your feet and make you want to stomp around like you're at the club. Trip hop influences that are reminiscent of Massive Attack fuel the hypnotic track, "I Don't Know You", swirling the listener into a euphoric trance. As mentioned earlier, there is no shortage of variety on this album, and each song feels so expertly curated, like you are at an audio wine tasting and Luca Ascari is your sommelier.
Standout Track: "The Industrial Revolution". It is so funky, yet it feels so right in the subculture.
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