Album Review: Rise of Tyrants - The Chronicles of Cardinal Pablo Mendoza
Reviewed by Matthew Williams
It’s a deeply menacing and sinister opening composition entitled “Colle De La Croix De Fer” that greets you when you press play on track one. I can imagine this is how it must feel when you are being dragged towards the entrance of hell for a fate that is yet to be told.
And what comes next is a huge battering ram, starting with a raucous noise from the vocal cords of Davide Cantamessa as the Bergamo based group signal their intent from the off. It is relentless from start to finish, with “Parigi Naploi” and “Do Mario Pederasta” demonstrating that they mean business on “The Chronicles of Cardinal Pablo Mendoza”, with some intense riffs from Federico Visini and backed up by brutal drumming from Virgilio Breda.
The idea of the album is based upon the fictional character Cardinal Pablo Mendoza, “an evil priest who deceives the weakest for perverse purposes”. And the results have been turned into some punishing and villainous death metal that is enjoyable to its core. The crunchy bass intro by Luca Mairati on “Sylvester Stazione” is something to enjoy and the song is intense and forceful, with a vocal that will give people nightmares. “Holly & Beppe (Only The Brave)” has an enticing riff flowing throughout which doesn’t overpower the music, it merely enhances the song and it’s one of the standout tracks for me.
They lyrics are addressing topics around abuses, violence and injustices, and as the band comment, all done “with an ironic and sarcastic tone”. The wonderfully titled “Gerry Smashed Table” is up next and is another example of their relentless fury and anger, which is matched by intricate musical skills, all being played at a high tempo. “Cardinal Pablo Mendoza” graces us with his presence next and it’s a song worthy of his name, as it’s hateful and dripping with evil intentions. A track to crack a smile to!!!
They demonstrate a more controlled approach on “Celine di Orio”, well, as controlled as you can be with some brutal death metal and crushing beats, before their more serene side comes out at the start of “How Can I Fuck Capitalism” but soon enough they are back to their ferocious selves with another stand out track. The drumming from Breda is rapid as he hammers away but leaves scope for the imposing solos from Visini.
“Mirella Silver Tongue” sees Cantamessa at his demanding best, with an explosive vocal performance over more monstrous riffs and drums before they finish off with “Armando The Preacher” which leaves you in no mind at all what this band are all about. They have delivered an album that will grab you by the collars and shake you down in a ruthless and remorseless way until you submit and bow down before them.
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