Italy’s Terminal Serious, the brainchild of Florence musician Luigi Buonaiuto, combines post-punk and darkwave, delving into themes of love, loneliness, and even the peculiar love of loneliness. Buonaiuto has a knack for pounding basslines and guitars that often need just two strings to whip up those screeching riffs or melodies, while his voice adds the final touch to the band’s dark, stark vibe.
The ten tracks on Fear and Cure (out now via Swiss Dark Nights) take a deep dive into the human condition, exploring how we navigate our fears and seek remedies. It’s like peeking into lives frozen by anxiety and those fighting to break free, embarking on a journey toward the hidden garden within each of us, ready to bloom from the underground. The album brings back the spirit of early gloomy alt-rock with its deep voice, sharp guitars, gritty riffs, and synth patterns. Arrangements steeped in a smoky, hopeless mood, combined with deep bass textures, catchy melodies, and perfect harmonies, support lyrics that tackle significant themes. It’s a delightful blend of gritty licks and electronic beats, delivering a tight, contemporary darkwave sound with impeccable rhythms. Fans of ACTORS, The Damned, and Twin Tribes will find a kindred spirit in Terminal Serious.
Shake the Brain depicts a couple in crisis, trying to revive their relationship through unconventional sexual practices. The raw energy and desperate lyrics capture the futility and strain of their efforts. Walk On A Roof tells the story of a boy, not yet of age, locked up in prison for an unknown reason. The track’s intense beats and haunting melodies reflect the boy’s confusion and isolation.
Burdened with Usery depicts a woman fleeing from an unresponsive lover who struggles to express himself. Despite his desire to act, he fails, leading to the realization that demanding love can be a grave mistake. Ultimately, she runs away, hesitating briefly before deciding to leave him behind for good. Metamorphosis portrays a person who wakes up not remembering the previous night, only to realize something disturbing has happened that will forever transform their life. The unsettling rhythms and eerie synths perfectly match the song’s theme of irreversible change. Necklace uses the metaphor of a tightening necklace to describe depressive syndrome. The somber tones and gripping lyrics convey the suffocating nature of depression.
Three Months is a poignant love song about separation and the doubts that follow a crucial decision. The melancholic guitars and heartfelt vocals evoke the lingering pain of a failed romance. Anyway centers on a twenty-year-old girl who, despite discovering she is ill, refuses to give up on love. The song’s hopeful yet bittersweet melodies capture her resilience and longing. Taurus Goes On The Swing follows a man who, unable to fit into conventional society, chooses freedom over comfort, even if it means living in hardship. The track’s rebellious spirit and gritty riffs celebrate his unyielding independence. The album closes with Secret Garden: the realization and understanding that things have improved, using the metaphor of a secret garden blooming from underground to symbolize growth and positive change emerging from hidden or difficult places.
Listen to Fear and Cure below, or order it on Bandcamp here.
Terminal Serious emerged in 2021 with the LP Love Was Lies (Meuse Music Records, vinyl), a darkwave album exploring love, loneliness, and the love of loneliness. The band caught broader attention with their singles Lamb and Disorder, the latter accompanied by a stunning video directed by Elio De Filippo from Studio Nubes.
In 2022, they self-released an EP titled Gift for You (CD), featuring the single Nobody Sees Us and a fantastic collaboration with Çağla Güleray from Ductape. By November 2023, Terminal Serious partnered with the Swiss Dark Night label, which re-released Love Was Lies on CD, setting the stage for their upcoming album Fear and Cure due in 2024.
As we speak, Terminal Serious is busy perfecting their live show and planning their first tour. They might just be the melodic balm for your existential musings.
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