Tystnaden, is a female-fronted, metal, Italian band that was born in 1999. They have released over 4 albums of music and EPs, along with demos. In early September they will release their latest album, The Black Swan on Elevate Records.
Tystnaden, (or Swedish for silence; or a moment of silence), is made up of: Laura De Luca, on lead vocals; Cesare Codispoti, on guitars; Giulia Coletti, on lead guitars; Stefano Galioto, on bass; and Alberto Lezzi, on drums.
This is a very cinematic and melodic, metal concept album. The concept, primarily used as a theme for the lyrics, album title, and music, is a is a tribute to Nassim Nicholas Taleb’s 2007 essay, which discusses “the strong impact of rare and unpredictable events and the human tendency to retrospectively find simplistic explanations for these events. This theory has since been known as the Black Swan Theory”. The band states, “As adult human beings, we’re accustomed to making decisions based on our experiences, roughly calculating some risks, and relying on predictions…We often overlook the existence and significance of black swans, which can sometimes lead to disastrous consequences. Let’s embrace uncertainty, open the eyes of our minds and hearts. Welcome to THE BLACK!”
To simplify the theory, imagine growing up in a world without black swans, as most Europeans did before the Dutch explorers, in 1697, led by Willem de Vlamingh became the first Europeans to see black swans in Western Australia. It must have stunned them. Despite our many theories and preconceived notions, there may exist the opposite of what we all perceive as our truths, somewhere in the world or the universe.
The album opens with a very cool intro, “Caged”. It sounds like someone walking across a floor with a radio station, changing channels. Then blazing light synthesizers and deep bass, before rocketing metal electric guitar and a fearful woman running.
“Forsaken”, one of the first singles, and music video released, opens with a rocket launched electric guitar riff…(just like the kind that sends fireworks into orbit), and then…like a volcano or massive firework being unleashed….the voice of Laura De Luca, jumps to the front of the stage, and welcomes everyone, to the black…(as they said earlier). She sings, “War! Modern lights. Shine up bright. They’ve forsaken us!”, as powerful metal guitars bend the atmosphere and heavy drums reap the soundscape. A powerful album opener, and no doubt a live show opener. Laura De Luca’s voice then sounds more mechanical, like it has run through some orchestration software. The guitar chords, bass, drums, and lurking keyboards are wonderful. She sings the powerful antiwar lyrics, “War! Wasted lands for vain glory. Where the army sold their brain for the bore. For the gore. All that beauty ruined for anger!” The music video has a very strong anti-war message.
“Mysterious”, opens powerfully with threatening drums and electric metal guitar. There is a slight Middle Eastern sound to the music, which is more than welcomed. Laura De Luca sings, “Life, in my name you are. Buried it might take you. All the moments of your life. Leading to my hearts. Burning all may take you over moments of your life. Loving you!” A powerful metal storm of deep bass and electric metal guitar, balanced well with drums.
“Mo’Kill”, is full of more thundering drums and electric guitar, at its opening. After riffing and setting up a rhythm, Laura De Luca sings clearly, “Wasted tears that fall. In another day and in another world. Instinct takes my part. In the brighter days and while I’ve ran out. I don’t wanna be torn by all the life. I’ve had enough of everything. I don’t wanna be teased by everyone. I have had enough!”
“Need”, opens with one of the best electric guitar openings on the album. It is also one of the best showcases for Laura De Luca’s voice. She sings, “Take my hand.
I’m away I’m falling. Take my hand. I’m away, I’m drowning!” The keyboards that enter the soundscape are absolutely wonderful. An almost Soundgarden Badmotorfinger, level of electric guitar grind begins. It is absolutely amazing to hear. Laura De Luca sings, “Here on my own. My innocence fails. Leading to lose what we have. Leaving the hope and the chance to stay together”. A deep lyrical song about the need we have for each other.
“Broken”, is the first single released to introduce the album’s sound. There is a lyric video for this track, and the video is amazing! The song opens with a soft, lonely guitar riff, drifting off in space, before the metal sledgehammer falls. Powerful guitar and drums rumble the soundscape. Laura De Luca’s sings through it all, “There you are!” like something out of Edenbridge’s epic The Bonding. Then, she sings, “…And take my heart. Sleep between the rocks and under skies filled of your words. Feed my mind with all the love. Don’t lead your arms to fake it all”. This is a powerful break-up song. One of the best songs on the album.
“Memories”, opens with cool keyboards and orchestration, before ripping and tearing metal guitar joins in. Back to some very cool Badmotorfinger riffing. Then, Laura De Luca’s sings, “When, well if you want. Where did you ever love me.
You wasted all my heart and ways I spent all my days hoping for the night. Will be leading to a dawn. Dare, I dare myself to love. One more time”. Another difficult break-up song, set to some amazing music.
“Thorns”, opens with more cool electric guitar riffs and some orchestrated percussion. Laura De Luca’s sings, “Go spread your wings and fly high away
I let you live your life. Son, you’re born in troubled times. Sometimes I feel I’m guilty for. I know we’re all to blame. I would keep supporting you. I can’t keep holding up your arms. I wish you’ll understand”. Helping someone important in your life. You can only do it for so long. Eventually they need to “fly” on their own and run their own lives. The guitar soloing is immaculate. The strings and orchestration which finish the song are excellent.
“Waiting for Anything”, opens with more of an acoustic guitar, keyboards and drums. Then, heavy guitars join in. Laura De Luca’s sings, “I hear you
I hear your voices!” The melody is one of the best on the album. Laura De Luca sings, “Waiting here for…There you are desires. The end of all my days. Feeling I’ve been. Laid up on this bed. I’ll reach that handle, soon. Falls, I’ve seen them all. I’ll be reborn. Unless you stop my fall. She roars, ““I need you still!”
“Crystal”, opens with heavy drums and some cool guitar riffing. Laura De Luca sings, “Stand fierce here my Angel. Who’s walking down? Won’t hear their steps and play loud, without delays. Don’t waste your time. And hey, please, don’t look back to failures”. Later she sings the most powerful lines on the song, “See the light. I’ll wipe away your tears, my Angel. See the light. You’re not alone!” The music is fast and powerful.
“Missed”, opens with the heavy thunder of drums and electric guitar. Laura De Luca’s voice reminds me so much of Chrissy Amphlett’s, voice from the Divinyls, or even Alanis Morrisette on this song. She sings, so emotionally, “When I’m in your song. You’ve always done that. You’re missing out. When I’m all you see in our life. The way you’re sinking. Is the way you are? I’ll be by your side. To pull you out of the tide”. A mother fighting for her son’s survival, away from the desire for drugs.
“Desire”, opens for the first time with soft electric guitar and keyboards. It is a wonderful surprise and well received. Laura De Luca’s vocals sound the best on this album. My favorite song on the album, for sure. She sings, “Waiting…then here with me you are. Sitting on here, you’re going to see. My sweet smile. You, I’m feeling you. My hon, I’m feeling you. And that’s all. And here I am for you.
Such a journey. I’m here with you. Rains and tears will come”. A perfect way to close the album. She sings, “Reading the life on the skin of your soul. Weaning you wild from the shelter I’ve done. Here in my arms I can keep you beloved. Here in my arms I can keep you for good. You’re my real desire. You’re my sweet home!” The soundscape is full of soft guitar and strings, for most of the song. Then, they close with a powerful rush.
Tystnaden’s The Black Swan, is another great symphonic metal album, in a string of powerful Italian metal successes. Bands just seem to fill that nation with metal music everywhere. Do they grow on trees? But, no, Tystnaden, is unique and different. I recommend The Black Swan, to any fan of symphonic metal. This album has its high points which will inspire you and give you a reason to listen to this music repeatedly. So, go and get The Black Swan, and hear the whole story.
Track List:
Caged (Intro) – 1:40
Forsaken – 3:31
Mysterious – 3:31
Mo’Kill – 3:56
Need – 4:44
Broken – 4:01
Memories – 3:54
Thorns – 4:08
Waiting for Anything – 4:19
Crystal – 4:01
Missed – 3:41
Desire – 4:30
The Black Swan was produced by Fabio D’Amore, for Synonym of Sound. The album was recorded by Fabio D’Amore at Synonym of Sound (Silz, Austria). Vocals were recorded by Fabio D’Amore at Cage Studios (Rive d’Arcano, UD, Italy). Pre-production and Pro Tools editing by Fabio D’Amore. Drum Tech/Assistant: Thomas Köchle. Guitar and bass tech/assistant: Alexander Stegmayr. Keyboards performed and arranged by Fabio D’Amore. Additional backing vocals arranged and performed by Fabio D’Amore, Katja Reisenbauer and Claudia Buß at Synonym Of Sound. Cello on the track “Need” performed by Laura Merth at Synonym Of Sound. Additional sound design and production on “Broken” by Efis Canu from Inira. Orchestral arrangements on “Thorns”, “Need” and “Mysterious” by Filippo Franceschini. The Black Swan was mixed by Francesco Marzona and Fabio D’Amore (Udine, Italy). It was mastered by Francesco Marzona.Dolby Atmos mix and master version on “Need” by Francesco Marzona. All songs written by Tystnaden. “Caged (Intro)” written by Fabio D’Amore. All lyrics written by Laura De Luca. Photos by Beatrice Demori at Oround Media. Artworks and booklet by Beatrice Demori. Logo design by Angelo Roccagli.
Band Website and Social Media Links:
https://www.tystnaden.com/home.html
https://www.instagram.com/tystnaden_band
https://www.facebook.com/TystnadenBand
YouTube and Music Video Links:
https://www.youtube.com/@tystnadenbandofficial/videos