Ovo - Cor Cordium [Supernatural Cat - 2011]Italian duo Ovo are back again with their eighth release Cor Cordium (that’s Latin for Heart of Hearts). The project comprised of Stefania Perdetti (from Allun) and Bruno Dorella (of Wolfango, Bachi Da Pietra and Bar La Muerte label) graces us with 10 songs that bounce from Punk, Noise, Metal, Ambient and Drone. Describing Ovo is a tricky one. The music does indeed mix the sludgy doom of metal, especially on “Nosferatu” and “Orcus”, to the more drone influence of “The Owls Are Not What They Look Like”, which features a storm of noise and reverb entwined with Exorcist like vocals. Yet we hear a Punk-ish influence to on “Penumbra y Caos” and “Catacombecatombe”.
The drumming is impressive from blast beats to slow grooves. The vocals sweet and gentle; as on ”Marie”, then transition to the guttural banshee wail of “Smelling Death Around” and “La Bestia”. Comparisons to Mythic and Gallhammer (and to some extent even Daisy Chainsaw) are heard vocally throughout. Guitars are a jangle of overdriven distortion and reverb yet at times they appear to sound minimalist and melodic.
Ovos’ downfall maybe that they are a bit too eccentric; not enough metal for the Death/Black Metal fan, yet too song driven and melodic for the Noise fan. Vocally it’s a showcase for fans who love to hear vocals used as a separate instrument. Production is well done and the music is played skillfully. Recommended, well maybe, but an open mind is definitely needed. Viktorya Kaufholz
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