Review Summary: You, you're okay. This one: real fuckin' ugly.
Break out the whips and pumpkin spice flavored ball gags because October is here. The weather is starting to cool down, eerie TV shows like Stranger Things and Riverdale are coming back to the screen and Halloween vibes are getting stronger by the day. Put on your sexiest costume and put a Halloween movie on mute because what you're about to listen to here today is gonna make you want to kiss your local gravedigger.
Confrontational is an Italian synth based project of sole musician Dahlia Indaco. Contributing to the burgeoning synthwave/horror synth scene since 2015, Dahlia hit grand slam with his dynamic 2016 record Kingdom of Night. The traditional characteristics of synthwave and horror synth are painted all over the neon hued walls of this record with blood spattered glee. Sparkly 80's synths, mechanical percussion, the occasional searing guitar segment, and a committee of excellent vocal performances combine with Dahlia's exuberant, youthful energy and otherworldly songwriting to make this a clear standout in the scene.
Beginning with the brief instrumental intro Kingdom Come, Dahlia shows you his vision with horror film-esque dread, brooding apocalyptic atmosphere, and anthemic beats. Magnificently priming up the listener with his delightful energy and darkened spirit for the blood-drenched dance floor classic to play out, Confrontational has one thing to say. Grab your Carrie and get ready to boogie because every track is infectious. Dahlia never falters in the hooks department with each of the nine tracks standing out on their own with glossy synths, groovy rhythms and stellar vocals. Featuring guest appearances from Dance With The Dead's Tony Kim, Hante's Hélène de Thoury, and even John Carpenter's son Cody, Kingdom of Night is jam packed with electric talent. Confrontational and crew kill it with Crimson Curtain's deep layers of synth, Keep Faith's haunting female vocals, and In The Line of Fire's metallic fury striking an incredibly strong nerve with me.
Kingdom of Night is zazzy, star-studded affair that deserves more exposure from music lovers worldwide. I can't recommend it enough. I know how fanboyish I sound right now and I'm ok with it. I also know how repetitive synthwave can be. Fortunately, this is miles ahead of what the rest of the competition is putting out right now.
