It felt like Stormo finally reappeared from the shadow of Covid with the 2023 release Endocannibalismo and I was then ecstatic to see them announce a gig in Glasgow this year. I don’t want to blame the mid January tour date for the low attendance, as sadly it wasn’t my first experience of being at a gig in Glasgow where the number of people on stage matched the number in the crowd. I know I am not alone in that experience but to their credit Stormo played a thunderous set full of passion and no doubt anger at the meagre but eager collection of fans. In their set were a few nuggets from Tagli/Talee which whetted my appetite for a release which continues this rich vein of form the Italians are in. If you like screamo that is melodic and pacey with hints of blackened rushes then you should check this one out.
Throwing melodic in there is maybe misleading but the guitar often ascends through lines that are the vein diagram of midwestern emo, blackened post-hardcore and mathy screamo. At times it tingles like the introduction of ‘Kallitype’ or the harder hitting ‘Bordi’ and ‘Sabbia’ to the initial groove of ‘Riva’, what is constant is the movement. No song steps on the previous as they weave and meld as the vocals pour through them and massage into the musical patterns. As well as introducing pace they also have variety and a beautiful vitality to them.
Whilst I have zero idea on the lyrics I love being shouted at in foreign languages to such great music. Stormo pushes over an urgency in their message and music and the passion drips through every single piece of instrumentation. The band easily dips into the same emotion well as Touche Amore, Birds In Row, Death Goals and Frail Body for the sheer enjoyment their passion brings. Without going over three minutes the tracks can fly but the variety keeps it memorable throughout.
It feels like a great period of productivity and creation for the Italians and I really hope they never have to suffer the indignity of playing to such a poorly attended gig again. Tagli/Talee oozes a screamo creativity, passion and energy that really deserves attention.
