Towards the tail end of 2021, Greek-Italian alternative/progressive rock act ICE OF NEPTUNE released a new video and single for “Solitude.” The song is from their debut album, “Mr. D,” which came out on October 10th and can be checked out on all the digital platforms, while the video was shot at Teatro Colonna of Brescia in Italy by Luca Rapuzzi.
The band itself was founded in 2019 by vocalist Pierlorenzo Molinari (ex-KEZIA/ex-BLACKMAIL OF MURDER) and guitarist Timoleon Adamopoulos (FORBIDDEN LORE) who tested the waters by releasing the EP “The Primordial Elements Trilogy.” With the addition of bassist Federico Giardini (ex-HELLDEST/ex-PRIMO SUONO) and guest drummer Alessandro Bissa (A PERFECT DAY/ex-VISION DIVINE), they were ready to write and record what would be “Mr. D.”
Now that we’ve gotten all of that information out of the way, let’s focus on this song. On a superficial level, one could argue that the music is pretty basic, as none of the instruments actually take center stage, rather being relegated to the background. However, that is just nit-picking, as the main points are that “Solitude” is a vocally driven track and that there are several parts to it, as it suits any respectable progressive piece. Pierlorenzo Molinari does a great job in the vocal department, not only showcasing his range but also trying out different singing styles throughout the track, from soft and emotional to more aggressive and intense, so as to bring various moods and feelings to life.
The songs open up on vocals and faint drums that work to set the stage. Later on, some orchestral/cinematic touches are added so as to give some gravitas to the lyrics and vocal delivery. Even in its first 90 seconds of playtime, “Solitude” shifts and twists until it reaches the rather catchy chorus. The song plays around with different atmospheres and textures and the build-ups to the chorus always pay off. The back-to-back guitar and bass solo by Timoleon Adamopoulos and Federico Giardini make for a nice moment, which is followed by an almost jazzy part that somehow lifts up the gloominess, before a final reprise of the chorus ends the song on a dramatic note. The bottom line is that “Solitude” is pretty theatrical and well put together, as it neatly merges various textures and moods into one cohesive track.
For something recorded during a quarantine in the home studios of the band members, “Solitude,” as well as the whole “Mr. D” album, are great indicators that, where there is a will, there is a way, and that music and love will always prevail over adversity. Check out the video below and stream the album at this Spotify link.
Written by Andrea Crow
