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Story: Ralph Greco, Jr.
“Scars Of Light” is the new single from Italian progressive death metal quartet BEDSORE, the latest preview of the band’s second LP, Dreaming The Strife For Love, nearing release on 20 Buck Spin.
With Dreaming The Strife For Love, BEDSORE has jumped headfirst into the progressive warmth and obscure atmospheres of the 1970s. Inspired by the mysterious renaissance-era book Hypnerotomachia Poliphili, the album musically weaves the concepts of love as a battlefield, where desire and devotion are tested through trials and spiritual awakenings, with visions of pagan temples, mystical gardens, and arcane symbols.
An aspirational and operatic aura envelops Dreaming The Strife For Love, from the longer compositions and spacious production to the extravagant and diverse instrumentation that includes 12-string guitar, copious use of synthesizers, mellotron and organs, fretless bass, percussion and horns; the dynamic range of the album embracing the most crucial elements of prog rock’s lofty imagination.
Though the progressive side of BEDSORE has been given much more room to stretch out, the death metal foundations remain present in the DNA. Vocally throughout the album the agonized screams of Jacopo Gianmaria Pepe endure, and the manic dark death and blackened metal riffs now segue and merge into the whole more adeptly than ever before. This results in an album that, rather than feeling like two separate albums in one, embraces a coherence for both forms, to create a surreal, reality-bending immersion wholly their own.
Lush, symphonic, ambitious, and romantic in scope, Dreaming The Strife For Love is 2024’s most surprising fusion of 1970s progressive and dark death metal, old and new production elements, the passionate and the horrific. Like so many of their Italian brethren, from Goblin and Devil Doll to Death SS and Black Hole, BEDSORE both embraces tradition and blows it up simultaneously.
Dreaming The Strife For Love’s primary recording sessions transpired at NMG Recording Studios, engineered by Lorenzo Stecconi and assisted by Alex Di Nunzio, and at Le Trombe Degli Angeli Studios by Jacopo Gianmaria Pepe and Stefano Allegretti. The Hammond B3 Organ, Farfisa Organ, ARP Solina, Harpsichord, and Minimoog Model D were recorded at Blind Faith Recording Studio, engineered by Lorenzo Stecconi and assisted by Luca Sapio. Mixed by Lorenzo Stecconi and mastered by Magnus Lindberg, the record is completed with cover paintings by Denis Forkas Kostromitin (Wolves in The Throne Room, Black Curse), additional illustrations by Costin Chioreanu (Edge Of Sanity, Cavalera, Jethro Tull), layout by Ebe Paciocco, and photography by Francesco Maria Pepe.
Fans of Opeth, Hallas, Yes, Goblin, Devil Doll, Genesis, Popol Vuh, Death SS, Paul Chain, and Oranssi Pazuzu must investigate BEDSORE’s Dreaming The Strife For Love.
The “Scars Of Light” visualizer was created by Costin Chioreanu. BEDSORE’s Jacopo Gianmaria Pepe reveals, “‘Scars Of Light,’ our new single, lets us descend into the depths of obscurity, channeling the esoteric spirit of the Hypnerotomachia Poliphili in search of a faint Light to revive our exhausted souls! This track is a ride driven by the distorted, pulsating energy of Maestro Allegretti’s Hammond organ as it merges with the chaotic forces of Italian death metal, while Giorgio Trombino’s haunting transverse flute soars above obsessive rhythms and frenetic structures, crafting psychedelic sonic watercolors. The accompanying video, created by visionary artist Costin Chioreanu, amplifies this journey into an optical labyrinth of metaphysical spaces. It’s a surreal fusion of light, shadow, tension, and catharsis, existing solely in a dreamlike realm where music transforms into a symphony of uncharted emotions.”
Immerse yourself in BEDSORE’s “Scars Of Light” animated video HERE and stream the song everywhere including Bandcamp HERE.
Dreaming The Strife For Love will be unveiled on LP, CD, MC, and digital formats November 29th. Find preorders at the 20 Buck Spin webshop HERE and Bandcamp where “Realm Of Eleuterillide” is also streaming HERE.
BEDSORE will also be announcing European tour dates with their labelmates and fellow countrymates Fulci for February 2025 shortly.
BEDSORE:
Jacopo Gianmaria Pepe – vocals, electric guitar, 12-string guitar
Stefano Allegretti – classical guitar, synthesizers, mellotron, organ, keyboards
Giulio Rimoli – fretless bass, bass pedals
Davide Itri – drums, percussion
Guest Musicians On Dreaming The Strife For Love:
Kariti – vocals (track 1)
Giorgio Trombino – saxophone, flute (tracks 1, 2, 3)
Giulio Guidotti – trumpet, trombone (tracks 1, 4, 6)
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