Modern metal has taken ahold of a bigger share of appeal in many media circles – look at the streaming numbers on platforms like Spotify, coverage on channels like Octane or Liquid Metal for Sirius XM, as well as hefty concert attendance when these acts come through your local circuits. Put Italian band Never Obey Again in that mix – they got off to an impressive start through last year’s debut release The End of An Era. It’s very surprising (and welcoming) that the follow-up Trust hits the streets in quick, turn-around fashion. The blend of heavy guitars, multi-faceted clean to extreme vocal abilities, as well as electronic / alternative soundscapes through keyboard passages, ambiance, and rhythmic loops / EDM elements leads to songwriting that has an immediate impact which grows fundamentally through successive passes.
One exposure to the wide array of soothing melodies and explosive, emotional screams that pour forth out of vocalist Carolina Bertelegni will hook most instantly – check out both dimensions on the mid-tempo “Never Feel, Never Fear” or the semi-staccato, serenity against chugging extremity within “I Wish” for spine tingling memorable activity in that Jinjer, Lacuna Coil, Spiritbox vein. Large guitar hooks from guitarists Alessandro Tuvo and Alex Pedrotti give way to cleaner, calmer proceedings on “Under My Skin, Before Your Eyes” – the juxtaposition intoxicates while the melodies slide around in this outer world universe, the bluesy lead break injection providing another dynamic twist. An 80s synthwave instrumental “Lost…” prepares ears for the eerie, alternative meets industrial atmosphere within “Control”, another highlight for its measured rhythmic verse flow (this scribe loves the delayed ‘blah, blah, blah’ refrain) and the use of instrument push / pull to make more of a bombastic explosiveness when the breakdown hits. The title cut closes the record in a reflective manner, a series of simplified circular guitar parts and calmer drumming set the stage for a tremendous Carolina led vocal – hitting all those key lower to higher notes in the verses to a splendid chorus.
With plans for more extensive European touring, Never Obey Again have all the tools to be recognized as another standout in the modern metal scene – even at this stage of their career. Trust checks off all the key boxes when it comes to dynamics, hooks, tremendous performances and songwriting that has lifetime appeal.