WL//WH Review: VENTIRATI “Victorian” LP [Sleaszy Rider Records]

WL//WH Review  VENTIRATI  

Ventirati, photo by Jim Benetatos

On September 6, the gothic rock act of  Ventirati (Athens GR) released their debut “Victorian” LP through Sleaszy Rider Records (Romania). The album is inspired by archaic and medieval arts and traditions, and it features nine tracks that delve into the storms within the souls of the three band gentlemen, Stephen Katifeoglou (poetry, vocals, guitars), Sotiris Tagalos (poetry, bass, vocals), Spiros Drogitis (Hammond, synths), and their guests, Yannis Londos (drums), and Assimina Kouris (vocals).

The “Victorian” LP, in addition to the words of the band members, also reveals three songs that are in the poetry of Aleister Crowley, William Blake, and the ancient Greek tragic Aeschylus. The album takes listeners on a fantastic journey through dark and introspective lyrics, and overall, it offers a blend of hardness and sweetness, as the band intentionally maintains the deathrock element that creates a restless yet captivating soundscape, quite agonizing at several points. Another one of the positives is that it’s not a gothic rock blockbuster, but more of a tearless and rougher sound trip…a rather intimate experience but also quite seductive, and groovy too.

Their progress in the last two years has been remarkable. One element that is credited for their positive development is the presence of Spiros Drogitis, a classically trained musician whose contribution is considered catalytic. He is more than just the band’s keyboardist, and the presence of the other two members is also impressive and very important for the musical art they create. Please pay close attention to this dark gemstone, “The Book of Lies Ch 25, 29 (poetry by Aleister Crowley)”, and listen to the sheer clarity of Ventirati.

The entire Victorian is filled with similar musical events, making it hard to stop playing on your stereo as it sounds devilishly pleasant from beginning to end non-stop. So, here is the debut album by Ventirati, press play (and take care)!!!

Keep up with Ventirati:

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Ventirati, photo by Jim Benetatos

Written by Loud Cities' Mike

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