Colosso began in Porto as a more-or-less solo project by guitarist/vocalist Max Tome. He wanted to work on some kind of progressive death theme, but without being limited by the boundaries that sticking to one genre would impose.
After a year or so of working, Colosso’s debut album was released. Abrasive Peace featured Soilwork‘s Dirk Verbeuren drums and came out in 2012.
In 2013, three full time members were added to the band so that the no-longer solo project could play live. Together they created and recorded the band’s second album, Thallium which came out at the end of 2013.
Soundwise, they are definitely a mix of prog and death sounds. Riffs are heavy, but well-paced rather than simply being a wall of fast beats. Even spaced around the face-ripping sections are much slower, almost funky breaks. This is one of the rare occasions where the bass guitar isn’t just heard but pretty much comes to the fore.
Vocals are sparse on the album to begin with. The opening three tracks are instrumentals or damn near to it. When they do feature, it goes hand in hand with the music becoming heavier and leaning much further into the more traditional death sound.
As with a lot of death/prog, it’s actually pretty atmospheric – particularly the strident guitars. It’s not difficult to picture a video for any of the tracks, perhaps linked with a slow-motion apocalyptic scene of destruction in a large-scale movie. At other times, and I guess this is the prog element, you can’t help but feel that the music’s trying to tell a story in much the same way as a piece of classical music.
Have a listen below and see what you think, then consider giving them some love. Or at least a like. And some cash.
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