Oigres – Don’t Stay Close To Me Review

Oigres is the solo project of multi-instrumentalist Sergio Vinci (formerly the mind of the black metallers Lilyum, with whom he recorded 9 albums). The project was born in 2015 in Turin at the behest of Sergio Vinci himself. The line-up undergoes various changes until Sergio‘s final decision to continue alone, taking care of all the instruments.

As soon as the listener presses that play button, forget any fancy introduction; the opening piece, No Life, will hit you hard and in your face… following suit with the remaining seven pieces, which spread across thirty minutes. Where Don’t Stay Close to Me is a dark walk in the park, with “lyrics that deal with depression, schizophrenia, paranoia, social issues and mental distress in general? The peculiarity of the texts is that they are written in the first person, as if it were an internal dialogue of a mentally disturbed person who writes his feelings and thoughts in a diary. This second album is a journey into the darkest depths of the human mind.” [Sergio]

As the listener embarks on their journey, they will encounter a tantalizing yet forbidden creation of the fruit of art composition, darkly lyrics, and devilmanship. This work presents an instrumental composition and arrangement that serves as another facet of art, captivating and challenging the listener’s soul and senses. It transcends the boundaries of a mere album or music; it is a profound exploration of the darker aspects of the human psyche, filled with intricate twists and turns that resonate deeply within.

Oigres is a solo artist in the realm of modern dark alternative extreme metal, known for his DIY production approach, which is far from a drawback. This method effectively conveys the raw and sombre essence of his music, while also achieving a remarkable clarity and balance in the recordings. The mix is expertly crafted, allowing each instrument to shine, with the guitars and drums standing out prominently. The industrial elements in the production style lend a contemporary flair to the album’s overall sound. Although the production envelops the instrumentation, it ultimately serves as a powerful tool for Sergio Vinci‘s artistic expression.

A powerful blend of hammering and forging, this composition showcases a range of tempos and moods, crafting an instrumental landscape. The guitar work crashes in like a massive tidal wave, characterized by low-tuned, compressed tones that evoke a contemporary, industrial vibe. The riffs are robust and groove-driven, frequently utilizing dissonance and distortion to amplify the ominous ambiance. The guitar melodies play a crucial role in shaping the album’s sound, delivering both rhythm and melody. Meanwhile, the bass lines are rich and resonant, establishing a strong backbone for the music.

The bass tone is raw and distorted, amplifying the weight of the overall sound. It usually collaborates closely with the guitars, forging a unified and powerful auditory experience. As the themes of torment and punishment unfold, they persist relentlessly! The drum sounds possess a mechanical and industrial edge, showcasing Sergio‘s skill in percussion. The rhythms are both exact and vibrant, fluctuating between thunderous beats and complex patterns that elevate the music’s intensity, and feels like a late 1800s electrotherapeutic devices going through one’s soul and mind.

The vocals in Don’t Stay Close To Me are both powerful and heartfelt, seamlessly merging smooth and gritty techniques. This vocal approach enhances the album’s themes and enriches the overall sound. The performance showcases a wide range, transitioning effortlessly from melodic sections to intense growls.

Overall, Don’t Stay Close To Me has so much to offer; there are elements of industrial, black metal, alternative and modern metal and what else is buried in the pages of this music. A music journey that needs to be listened to without modern technology, with no distractions, full attention to the music, and letting the entire world go by. The music is aggressive, heavy, dark, dense like an early morning fog, evil, mentally insane, sick, and crushing and sounds like something trying to escape…

The album concludes with its final track, For You. As the music fades into the darkness, and cries of the insane echo long after the music stops. We want to give a shoutout to, The Triad Records for letting us review Oigres and his album Don’t Stay Close To Me. Now, we are going to conclude the review by talking about the final three sins and concluding the review.