Review: “Elements” by Mind Control

Originally slated for a late 2020 release, almost a decade after they released their 2014 debut album “Heptagon“, the return of Italian Progressive Death Metal outfit Mind Control with a sophomore record may have seemed like something like would never happen. Three years ago however they began to submit their evidence to the court with a lockdown session video for first single “Rage” taking us back to the glory days of “Golden Eye” on the N64 with its split screen action. That represented a huge moment for the band with new vocalist Stefania “Natisfea” Salladini and new bassist Stefano Tatasciore delivering their first recorded material to the World, despite having been part of the band since 2018. They join original members in drummer Luca Nicolucci (Create Illusions, Halley, ex-Thy Gate Beyond) and guitarist Massimo Boffa who have been present since the start. What followed was second single “Hurricane“, confirming the album was engineered, mixed and mastered by the band at Comet Broadcasting Studio before a re-recorded version of the title track of their debut album “Heptagon“. Then in April 2021 the trail ran cold, making us wonder if the album would ever see the light of day. The band however had other ideas, waiting for the years of plague, famine and pestilence to pass before unveiling their sonic creation in its entirety…

Curiously the album begins with the title track “Elements“, a bold choice as the instrumental switches from the digital to the organic as it moves from programming of keys and a choir that gives it an ethereal touch into full on powerful double bass drum kicks and chugging guitars. That follows into the first few seconds of “Rage” giving the album an majestic introduction before the beast that is Salladini is let loose to rampage through the opening verse. Her unclean vocal parts are nothing short of savage with a real grit, integrity and intensity that is undeniable and then the fleeting almost sultry clean vocal moment confirms that she has an incredible range. There are obvious comparisons to the likes of Tatiana “Tati” Shmayluk from Jinjer or Carla Harvey from Butcher Babies straight out of the gate but it has to be said that the band are so much more than the sum of their parts. After that lethal opening proper “Flames” rears its ugly head and confirms that the this isn’t a nostalgic flash in the pan return but a one two punch combination from a prize fighter looking to reclaim the crown. Boffa slings rapid fire technical riffs in all directions before a brief solo rises majestically from the black depths; the adrenaline flowing through this hair raising cut, a sonic assault on the senses in the purest form. The tempo changes are incredible as the band cross borders and boundaries between subgenres as if they were nothing, combining moments of the Progressive with Metalcore, Death Metal and even the Gothic in their ascendency. Tatasciore brings the funk to “Effluent” which is an insanely catchy tune with the bounce of Djent and the full throated growls of a woman scorned. A near nine minute cut, this one plays out at breakneck pace with an abundance of textured nuance so the brain simply can not take it all in and little moments rise to the surface over multiple listens. Slowing down in the mid section for groove laden breakdowns that then burst into a vibrant solo, Mind Control quite literally blow the mind and there is still two thirds of the album to sink the teeth into.

There is a gruff quality to some of the vocals on “Wind“, a tune which has some Periphery esque guitar parts as it thunders through with staccato patterns and plenty of bounce. The incredible thing about the cut and indeed the album is that the band cram so much action in and make it seem effortless, as if it was meant to be, whereas in reality there have been years of toil in the rehearsal space to make the sound match the vision. The vocal layering on this one is very well worked as is the control on some of the more flamboyant soloing, Boffa ensuring that he doesn’t take things too far and turn a thrill ride into a train wreck. “Storm” pushes on the limits of that with an 80’s inspired introduction that sounds like a demo from someone like Marty Friedman before a punchy, heavier second half returns us gracefully to the bands core sound with elegance. Roots in Gothenburg Melodic Death Metal are exposed with the turbulent rampaging of “Air” which sees gutturals intertwined with aching cleans to give the impression of a pair of vocalists rather than one. Orchestration and a spoken word are very well balanced, the latter being something of a call to arms before the final onslaught; that makes this one a stand out among stand outs before the  instrumental interlude of “Tempest“. Whether it was intended to be a stand alone piece or is simply a left over part from the recording sessions that didn’t quite fit becomes irrelevant because it’s so damn good that its inclusion was essential. “Hurricane” once again makes fantastic use of the vocal layering and has moments that feel theatrical despite the pulverising artillery shelling percussive battery and chugging poly-rhythmic guitars. The synths add a sinister touch, as do the orchestrations and its clear that either a second guitarist or a backing track is going to be needed to perform this one live, as the palm muted moment intertwine with some more intricate leads.

Despite it’s heavier surroundings there was always the feeling that this album was going to have a melodic cut somewhere along the line and that comes in the form of “The River“. Haunting Gothically styled clean vocals breathe life into the macabre melancholic melodies as they build, the crushing crescendo making a perfectly timed appearance as the Mind Control demonstrate sublime musicianship once more having designed a song to showcase their vocalist in her element. Creating a senses of unease with “Ether“, the band increase the urgency and energy while injecting a greater emotive quality, some unhinged vocal moments combined with some eerie electronics giving it tension you could cut with a knife. One that clearly has a deeper meaning than registers on the surface, this could easily be the grand finale of a live set that sees the band cathartically sweat out their pain. Another log gets thrown on the fire to build an already raging inferno with “Maelstrom“, a cut that cleverly combines oppressive atmospherics with demanding vocals and then gives a chink of light through the black clouds with the leads. The drums are HUGE and thunderous and yet everything is in perfect balance, another spoken word, this time with more Italian accenting the Chef’s kiss moment. Last but by no means least, final cut “Blame” finds the band joined by original vocalist Simone Evangelista who is now in Insane Therapy for an all out scream fest. Both vocalists reach bowel clenching lows of depravity before the half way point as blast beats and down tuned riffs reduce the surroundings to rubble; the rumbling bass completing the sonic oblivion and ending the album in the right way, on a heavy high. One of the albums of the year then? Well yes! [9.5/10]

Track Listing

1. Elements
2. Rage
3. Flames
4. Effluent
5. Wind
6. Storm
7. Air
8. Tempest
9. Hurricane
10. The River
11. Ether
12. Maelstrom
13. Blame (ft. Simone Evangelista of Insane Therapy)

“Elements” by Mind Control is out 1st December 2023 via Revalve Records