Image
Album Streaming

Italian Post-Punk Outfit The Doormen Release Concept Album “The Truth in a Dark Age”

From the depths of Italy’s alternative scene, The Doormen have unleashed their masterful fifth LP, The Truth in a Dark Age, out now via MiaCameretta Records and distributed by Believe. The dynamic duo of Vincenzo Baruzzi and Luca Malatesta continue to refine their distinct identity, pushing the boundaries of experimentation and diving headfirst into the sonic territory of late 80s alternative rock.

The Truth in a Dark Age solidifies The Doormen’s distinct identity, which has been cultivated across their previous four albums, underscoring their insatiable appetite for experimentation. Following their last record’s 90s-inspired sounds, the dynamic duo of Vincenzo Baruzzi and Luca Malatesta ventures into the realm of late 80s alternative rock without sacrificing their art rock sensibilities. Simultaneously vibrant and gentle, the guitars interweave with reverberated vocals, while the drums meld seamlessly with electronic loops and synths. The Doormen’s sonic landscape is a harmonious blend, with the compass needle firmly oriented towards shoegaze and the quintessential 80s wave.

The Truth in a Dark Age‘ takes on the characteristics of a concept album, with each song centered around the enigmatic protagonist, The Freak. Introduced in the opening track “Night Shift,” ‘The Freak’ is depicted as a superhero who, after shedding his everyday attire, embarks on a relentless hunt to capture his prey, intending to imprison them and strip them of their love.

The narrative takes a dramatic turn in the fourth track, “A Freak,” as the protagonist finds himself confined to his apartment, unable to pursue his prey any further. This confinement leads him down the path of insanity, as he wrestles with feelings of loneliness and isolation. Ultimately, the album reaches its poignant climax with the final track, “Your Shape Pillow.” In this closing chapter, The Freak faces his deepest fears and embarks on a transformative journey of self-examination and self-discovery.

This existential crisis of the album track “Glass Factory” is illustrated with a gorgeously animated, Kafka-esque video by Elisa Turrini.  The nightmare begins in the protagonist’s apartment: she wakes up and soon realizes she’s trapped in a labyrinth…and she’s not alone. In this monochromatic dreamscape, she faces her deepest fears and her sense of helplessness as she attempts to escape.

Watch the video for “Glass Factory” below:

Crafted by the talented Matteo Pozzi, the album cover is part of the narrative: it captures an intimate moment between two lovers on the run, nestled within the confines of a car that doubles as their protective armour. This tender kiss signifies the sole pure and genuine truth amidst the prevailing darkness of the current age. Simultaneously, it symbolizes Original Sin, embodying the temptations that twist the consciences and desires of those who give in to them.

Masterfully straddling the line between noise and post-punk reverberations, The Doormen reinterpret the era’s essence by incorporating synths and electronic loops into their ever-evolving sound.
 

Hailing from Ravenna, The Doormen emerged as a formidable rock duo in 2009, consisting of Vincenzo Baruzzi (vocals, guitar, drums) and Luca Malatesta (guitar). Their debut EP dropped in November, followed by a self-titled album in March 2011, produced by the revered Paolo Mauri (Afterhours, Le Luci della Centrale Elettrica, La Crus, Prozac +). This exposure propelled them into the Italian music scene, landing them opening spots for iconic acts like Subsonica, Ash, The Vaselines, Preoccupations, The Chameleons, Ministri, Blood Red Shoes, Art Brut, Paul Weller, and the Charlatans.

The Truth in a Dark Age is out now, available on a special green vinyl.

Order Here

Photo by Marco Parolo

Follow The Doormen:

Alice Teeple

Alice Teeple is a photographer, multidisciplinary artist, and writer. She is not in Tin Machine.

Recent Posts

  • Bands

Los Angeles Synth-Pop Outfit Male Tears Releases Self-Titled Debut Album on Vinyl for the First Time

I’ve been swimming in an ocean of tears I went swimming in all of my fears And every day is…

21 hours ago
  • Bands

Beauty and Despair — Swiss Coldwavers Future Faces Drift Among the Ashes of Lost Tomorrows in “Memoria”

Our entire life Was like a spell of beauty and despair This old delusion Hectic with our own selfish thirst…

2 days ago
  • Bands

Chasing Ghosts by the Black Sea — Georgia-based Darkwavers Chronotape Release Poignant “Strangers” EP

Yesterday is history And today is just misery So we say "Long live the King" Oh, he ruined everything Hailing…

2 days ago
  • Bands

Melbourne Artist Claire Birchall Blends Tremulous Art Pop Melodies With Gothic Undertones in “The Haunting”

I don’t mean to rain on your parade But sometimes when I bend, I break Australian artist Claire Birchall, Melbourne's…

3 days ago
  • Bands

NYC Darkwavers MIDNIGHTCHOIR Release Spine-tingling Video for “Tempted” From Their “Temptation (Demos)” EP — Plus Review

You can keep your revolution if we can't dance to it. Because we're not going out on our knees.  We're…

3 days ago
  • Bands

Guitarist Slim Dunlap of The Replacements Passes Away at 73

The Replacements' guitarist Bob “Slim” Dunlap has passed away at 73, leaving behind a legacy as enduring as the melodies…

3 days ago
Sticky Footer Banner with Close Button