PORT NASIM “It’s Murky Grey”

Battersea Alternative Music, 2022

Music: Classic Rock / Metal
Website: https://www.facebook.com/PORT-NASIM
Duration: 34:00 (7 tracks)
Country: Italy, Germany

Classic Rock and Metal is a rarity considering how the artists branched out in terms of songwriting – exploring new genres to broaden their interest group. Port Nasim, on the other hand, is one of the very few bands that can instantly invoke the 80s Metalhead in you with a single riff incorporated in their intro. Yes, “It’s Murkey Grey” is a 7-track classic album, which seems as if is centred around the idea of putting the old school Rock back on the map. The reason is the amount of resemblance with artists like Pink Floyd, Jethro Tull and Killing Joke. Many might find their sound very close to 70s Progressive Rock, but my ears can only think of classic rock that blasted out of the scene in the 1980s.

Starting with an energetic album opener in “In the End”, the second track “That Isn’t True” is something that got my attention. Especially the 2 and a half minute marker wherein the band adds a memorable and catchy section with a mix of violin and keys. Moving down the list we have “The Need” which has a very distinctive and catchy bassline. One would feel as if it is a song that is being sped up, and rightly so, do my friends. Nonetheless, it is a brilliant track in the middle of the album. The acoustic version of “That Isn’t True” was brilliant, though I liked the original Metal-ish version, this acoustic track forms a good bridge between the “Edge Of…” And “Die Moorsoldaten”. One a very rock-punk track and the other a German track with traditional instrumentation.

The last track “Business Clothes and Cheated Wives” starts with a clean guitar note that quickly transcends into a very crunchy intro. You’ll be tricked if you thought the band will be having another acoustic one on the list. This 6-minute track has very strong instrumentation, so strong that the first 2 minutes are solely for the guitars and drums to go berserk! The deliverance being something that I was not fond of in the beginning, Frank does a brilliant job on this one! You necessarily won’t get to hear a lot of his vocals but whenever he sings it perfectly compliments the rest of the track, without letting anything down.

Overall, “It’s Murky Grey” is an exceptional album that will surely attract those who love old school metal, and are on the lookout for bands who play that kind if style. Now, what I am looking forward to seeing in this band would be how they are going to branch out. Honestly, I won’t bother if they play more songs like “That Isn’t True”. Perhaps my favourite track on this album, “That Isn’t True” captures the band’s versatility and their ability to structure in multiple elements in one single track. I would expect to see more of such songs from them!

Tracklist:

1. In the End
2. That Isn’t True
3. The Need
4. Edge of…
5. That Isn’t True (Acoustic)
6. Die Moorsoldaten
7. Business Clothes and Cheated Wives

Line-up:

FRANK SCHILBACH – Vocals, Guitars, Keyboards (7)
JÖRG LENUWEIT – Bass (4), Keyboards (4)
with:
CHIARA GIACOBBE – Violin, Keyboards, Vocals
Rino Garzia – Bass (1),(2),(3),(7)
Nicolas Megna – Drums (1),(2),(3),(7)
Paolo Enrico Archetti Maestri – Bouzouki (7)
RHOADES D’ABLO – Guitar solo (3)