Massimo Pieretti has released an intriguing and enjoyable 4-track EP called Creature of the Night, in advance of his new album, The Next Dream, due for release in the next few months. Well known as a pianist/keyboardist in Italy, he graduated at the Conservatory of St Cecilia in Rome. A music teacher and one of the original members of the gothic metal band Noage, he produced his first solo album A New Beginning a couple of years ago.
It was an eclectic and diverse, conceptually themed album that explored today’s society using his personal life experiences. Over the 15 tracks, many were deeply personal in nature, but others were experimental, and several showcased his passion for cinema and film music. He collaborated with a wide range of musicians, including Echolyn’s Ray Weston, Kate Nord and others, and produced an album that crossed, and merged, many genres – with rich, art rock complexity one moment and then simple, popular musical structures the next. The large range of musicians, especially vocalists, used does mean that his individual musical persona was largely (and unselfishly) hidden under the myriad variety of styles, but there is much to explore for those who like their progressive music albums less predictable and more varied.
The 4 songs on Creatures of the Night, also destined for the next album, seem to be more coherent and integrated and have a more focused concept to them. They are set in the world of dreams and of the creatures that inhabit them – with imaginary connections with current society. Once again, a range of prestigious Italian and international guests are involved with Massimo’s musical project, including the likes of some well-known British artists, such as John Hackett, Nick Fletcher and Rob Townsend, along with the challenging, unsettling avant-garde vocal skills of Claudio Milano, amongst many others.
The opening track, Come Heavy Sleep, features Maria Chiara Rocchegiani on lead vocals, with Massimo on Clavicembalo, bass pedals & synths. There is a grandiose and atmospheric operatic and musical theatre feel to this overture-like track, with classical music touches and nice guitar lines from Roberto Falcinelli, with Marco Lo Muscio on church organ. However, a dark, gothic feel enters towards the end with Claudio’s sinister spoken words.
Creatures of the Night, Pt, 1, introduces us to the inhabitants of our dreams, with Germana Noage providing ethereal, Kate Bush-tinged vocals over the twisting, instrumental ensemble work, with Massimo’s electric piano and Simone Cozzetto’s wonderfully expressive guitar mingling with violin, cello and some interesting bass and drum patterns, before Claudio’s eerie words return as we continue our dark journey.
Creatures of the Night, Pt, 2, has a more brooding symphonic metal character, with Laura Piazzai’s unsettling lead vocals complementing the dynamic instrumental flow, and Massimo’s keyboards, along with Nick Fletcher’s soaring electric guitar, ride the rhythmic waves of Mattias Olsson’s drumming wonderfully.
The final EP track, I Dream of Flying, has a different, lighter feel, which may hint at the diversity we can expect when the full album is released. Starting with the distressing voice of a 10-year old Palestinian child who has lost family to an Israeli assault, there is a contrasting, serene and classical feel of violin, cello and acoustic guitar here, prior to Michael Trew’s lyrical and moving vocals, with Amy Breathe supporting on backing vocals, take us up into the skies, and a broad cinematic soundscape throughout, enhanced by Andrea Amici’s mellotron & synth solo and some gentle percussion from Mattias. Massimo directs this thoughtful song of hope overcoming despair, on grand piano and touches of Hammond organ, and it leaves you wanting more, as this gentle music fades away on a single, hanging note.
Massimo’s compositional, lyrical and instrumental skills are well highlighted here, even on these four relatively short tracks, and this feels to me to be a more holistic and focused piece of work, which bodes well for the forthcoming full album release of The Next Dream. As a result, the Creature of the Night EP provides a brief, but very tantalising, view of Massimo Pieretti’s current musical world – one which is well worth exploring further via Bandcamp.
TRACK LISTING
01. Come Heavy Sleep (Alternative Mix) (1:55)
02. Creatures Of The Night, Pt.1 (4:34)
03. Creatures Of The Night, Pt.2 (Alternative Mix) (4:55)
04. I Dreamed Of Flying (3:49)
Total Time – 14:13
MUSICIANS
Massimo Pieretti – Piano, Organ, Clavicembalo, Bass Pedals, Synths
~ With:
Maria Chiara Rocchegiani – Lead Vocals (1)
Claudio Milano – Background Vocals (1-3)
Jean Luc Payssan – Mandolin & Guitar (1)
Roberto Falcinelli – Lead Guitar (1 & 4) Soprano Saxophone (2)
John Hackett – Flutes (1)
Rob Townsend – Soprano Sax (1)
Marco Lo Muscio – Church Organ (1)
Lisa Green – Violin (1,2,3 & 4)
Gianni Pieri – Cello (1,2,3 & 4)
Mirko Rovina – Percussion (1 & 2)
Mattias Olsson – Drums & Percussion (1,2,3 & 4)
Germana Noage – Lead & Backing Vocals (2)
Simone Cozzetto – Guitar (2)
Riccardo Ballerini – Piano (2)
Gabriele Pala – Chapman Stick (2)
Gianluca Del Torto – Bass (2)
Laura Piazzai – Lead & Backing Vocals (3)
Nick Fletcher – Guitar (3)
Attilio Virgilio – 12 String Guitar, eBow (3)
Billy Allen – Bass (3)
Michael Trew – Lead & Backing Vocals (4)
Amy Breathe – Backing Vocals (4)
Luigi Pistillo – Acoustic Guitar (4)
Andrea Amici – Mellotron & Synth Solo (4)
Fabrizio Russo – Fretless Bass (4)
ADDITIONAL INFO
Record Label: Independent
Country of Origin: Italy
Date of Release: 30th July 2024
