ALBUM REVIEW: Scala Mercalli - Independence

SCALA MERCALLI (Italy)
"Independence"
(Alpha Omega Records)
Release date: January 25th 2019
Genre: Heavy metal, power metal
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Fermo is a small province in central Italy on the northern coast to the Adriatic Sea, and is base for SCALA MERCALLI, a quintet that has been active since 1992. The band released a couple demos between 1996 and 1999, and their debut was released in the form of the "My Daemons" EP in 2003. Their first full length "12th Level" came out on AB Records in 2005, and after a two year period of touring (as support act for bands like Blaze, Shaman and Lacuna Coil) and a change in their line up, they released their sophomore album "Border Wild" on Heart of Steel Records in 2009.

Between the release of "Border Wild" and their third studio album "New Rebirth" the band played live for three years within the Italian borders, before embarking on a European tour as support band for Tarja and Exodus, before another change in the line up put the band on another hiatus. Soon the band went back on the road with Tarja, and they even served as opening act for WASP.

"New Rebirth" came out on Art Gates Records in 2015, and was based around the Italian unification (the "Risorgimento"). In 1815 the Italian people went through revolutions and wars, until the Capture of Rome, which marked the end of the "Risorgimento" when Pope Pius IX was defeated in 1870.

SCALA MERCALLI is a band that apparently has an affinity for their own nation's history. Their fourth album "Independence" has been out for 8 months, and serves as another lesson about the Italian people's fight for unity and freedom in the early nineteenth century.

In terms of style and genre SCALA MERCALLI's music can be described as heavy/power metal, and though it isn't as dramatic, theatrical and symphonic as that of their fellow countrymen in for example Rhapsody and Domine, it still has a kind of operatic and majestic sound that gives it that Italian feel of genuinity.

"The Crossing on the Sea (From Quarto to Marsala)" is an instrumental piece that serves as an intro to the album. "The Expedition of the Thousand" happened in 1860, when a corps of volunteering soldiers led by Giuseppe Garibaldi sailed from Quarto (north on the Italian mainland) to Marsala on the west point of Sicily. Their objective was to conquer the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies, and their mission succeeded. Marching rhythms, cannons, and orchestral elements gives the story a dramatic start, and leaves no doubt that the 1089 volunteers in red shirts faced heavy resistance when arriving on the Sicilian shores.

"The 1000 (Calatafimi Battle)" is the first track off "Independence", and is about Garibaldi's first battle during his invasion of Sicily. A Malmsteen'ish riff opens the song, and singer Christian Bartolacci makes himself known after a few seconds. He has a distinctive voice that at times reminds me of a mid-eighties' Geoff Tate, and he adds character to the band's otherwise fairly "traditional" expression.

Running Wild and Edguy are references that I believe are not entirely out of place here, as well as Iron Maiden. SCALA MERCALLI's music is not the most innovative, but they add their own ingredients to a basic formula and end up with something that I actually find a bit unique. "Independence" is not a perfect album, as very few are, but the band is true to what they do, and that's what gives it a genuine feel.

In total there are 11 tracks, including an instrumental intro and outro. The remaining nine songs convey the story well, and provide a lot of information about these historical events. I find myself very fascinated about the concept, and without giving away too much of what's going on throughout "Independence", the conclusion must be that it is an album that SCALA MERCALLI have put a lot of pride and effort into, and obviously well worthy of a listen.

★★★★★★★★☆☆

Tracklist:
1. The Crossing On the Sea (from Quarto to Marsala)
2. The 1000 (Calatafimi Battle)
3. Honest Brigands
4. Be Strong
5. The Last Defence (Gianicolo 1849)
6. Never Surrender
7. Tolentino 1815
8. White Death
9. Whisper of the Night
10. Anita (Ana Maria de Jesus Ribeiro da Silva)
11. Fratelli d'Italia (Anthem feat.Corale Angeli)

LINE UP:
Christian Bartolacci- Vocals
Clemente Cattalani- Guitar
Cristiano Cellini - Guitar
Giusy Bettei- Bass
Sergio Ciccoli - Drums