SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: UNCLE ACID & THE DEADBEATS – NELL’ ORA BLU

UNCLE ACID & THE DEADBEATS
NELL’ ORA BLU
RISE ABOVE RECORDS

Uncle Acid returns with their most potent material since 2013’s release of Mind Control. Nell’ Ora Blu  is the definition of a proper concept album, with a studio cast consisting of legendary Italian horror screen actors from decades past who narrate this macabre story, recalling the radio murder mystery days of the 40’s. The album’s concept is a soundtrack to a fictional Italian horror film.

The story follows a corrupt Italian elected official who is looting the treasury and bringing his small township to its knees, and the people are fed up. This is a story of revenge when an honest factory owner facing foreclosure decides to take justice into his own hands, conspiring to have the corrupt Giovanni Scarano killed. What starts with threatening phone calls soon turns into stalking and, inevitably, murder.

This album is a lot of fun to sit through, provided you have the time to properly dig in. The record is not designed with singles or hits in mind; it’s a proper journey into the psyches of two very different people. With a whopping 19 tracks, Uncle Acid’s lead man, Kevin Starrs, has produced this album for the listener to properly slow down and take a deep dive from front to back.

Musically, the album is diverse in sound, with more atmospheric tones than Uncle Acid’s previous hard rock vibes. The album delivers diverse orchestration with the sounds of organs, grand pianos, and endless sound effects, along with some of the slowest, moodiest music Uncle Acid has released to date. The band also takes a shot at some 80s style synth rock in the track “The Return of the Silent Caller”.

With song titles such as “The Coffin Will Remain Closed”, “Torture On The Telephone”, and “Human Remains”, it’s clear this release is not for the faint of heart but intended instead for the classic horror movie die-hards and doom metal fanatics.

In the end, the audience gets a pure and unfiltered Uncle Acid experience here with Nell’ Ora Blu, which delivers unexpected twists and turns around every corner. This album solidifies Uncle Acid as the most innovative band in their class, as they constantly create fresh material to keep their audience wanting more. As a side note, Uncle Acid also has some of the best tour merchandise of any group on the circuit. Seeing them live is an absolute must to take in the full Uncle Acid experience, and I will most definitely see them when Nell’ Ora Blu hits the road.

Artist Links