Maximum Metal Rating Legend

Node Das Kapital 2004 Scarlet Records - Reviewed by: Zerohour

Track Listing1. War Goes On 2. Twenties 3. Outpost 4. The East-Ghost 5. Das Kapital 6. Retreat ‘42 7. Weaknessphere 8. The Plot Sickens 9. One Way Media 10. Empire 11. Few Worlds Again

This record is absolutely something worth listening to: Italian Death/trash metal with a little touch of North-European style. This is Node. “Das Kapital” is gaining excellent reviews and they’ve just toured Italy supporting Lacuna Coil.

Node took their first steps back in 1994 in the cold and foggy surroundings of Milan, Italy. Formed by guitar player Steve Minnelli, they went through several line-up changes including the loss of Minnelli in 1999. Their first release, a demo titled “Ask”, dates back to 1995 under Lucretia Records which released their second demo, ”Sterilizes”, and their first album, “Technical Crime”. In 2000 they signed with the Italian label Scarlet Records and release their second album “Sweatshops”, followed by the brand new “Das Kapital”. Today the line-up sees Daniel Botti on vocals and guitars, Gary D’Eramo on guitars, Klaus Mariano on bass and Marco Di Salvia on drums.

“Das Kapital” is a concept album, dealing with the twentieth century and the facts that led to the Second World War dividing the World in two, when gaining economical power was all that mattered. Compared to the previous “Sweatshops”, Node have grown up. Their technical ability is now close to perfect and the new drummer can easily perform a wide range of styles establishing himself as the right choice for the band.

This release mixed up death with thrash metal and melodic guitar riffs; catchy choruses embellish each song without falling into banality and each instrument is played at the best. One of the biggest influences here is Scandinavian death/trash (Soil Work, At The Gates), but Node are not simple clones, they have a strong personality and original style.

The only negative point is that the bass is a little hidden behind the guitars. The song-writing is excellent: every song is involving and overwhelming except for “Retreat ‘42” and “The Earth Ghost”, which are little bit flat if compared with all the other tracks. The most outstanding episodes are the opener “War Goes On” and “Outposts”, both strong and trash-oriented, together with Queensryche politically engaged cover “Empire” which perfectly fits the concept of “Das Kapital”, proposed here in a personal version.

The production, by Pelle Saether and Lars Linden at the Swedish Underground Studio, almost reaches perfection.

My rating is 7,5/10. It seems Node have everything they need to go beyond Italian and European borders: try them out!


--Zerohour 04.23.04