Coming across a newly released concept album is rare nowadays. Yet, if one searches carefully, they are out there, often crafted with love and care by underground projects that don’t quite bother with mainstream trends and alluring fads, instead focusing on authenticity and uniqueness. That’s exactly the case for ‘Sandcastle’, the latest and fourth album by Italian rock outfit Mardi Gras. Active for the better part of two decades, the Rome-based group has established a name for itself through grandiose and cinematic symphonic rock, often marked by a keen melancholic charge.
Led by female vocals and fierce guitars, Mardi Gras constantly oscillates from more ethereal and dreamy pieces (such as the luscious and hypnotic ‘Lia’s Theme’), and more potent, orchestral-flavoured cuts. ‘Don’t Touch The Sinner’ instantly comes to mind, a track that’s been recently given a striking music video packed with meaningful storytelling and cathartic imagery.
Delving deeper into the ethos behind ‘Don’t Touch The Sinner’, Mardi Gras explain: “It tells a story that needs to be told, a story of love, bullying and narcissism, themes that are every single day in our face and in the stories we’ve been told. We felt the urge to write about it, and we’re so proud of this release.” Set in 1980s New Jersey, the overarching story on ‘Sandcastle’ deserves time and attention; you won’t be disappointed.
Recommended! Discover ‘Don’t Touch The Sinner’ on YouTube:
