BLIND GOLEM – Wunderkammer (2025) *HQ*
Most the times, ‘don’t judge an album by its cover‘ it’s an exception. When you take a look at “Wunderkammer“, the new album by BLIND GOLEM, with a draw designed by legendary Rodney Matthews (Nazareth, Magnum, Praying Mantis), you know what this 11-track is all about.
”Wunderkammer” is progressive hard rock from the British breed with big Hammond organ, screaming wah-wah guitars, and massive choruses in full Uriah Heep, Deep Purple, Rainbow, Magnum style.
There’s no talking about BLIND GOLEM without mentioning Uriah Heep. This Italian group initially began as a Heep tribute band and desired to write their own music in a similar Seventies Rock style, going so far as to give the artwork that ‘Demons and Wizards’ aesthetic. Hey, BLIND GOLEM also does here a great cover version of one of Heep’s more obscure songs, the “Demons and Wizards” outtake ‘Green Eye’.
”Wunderkammer” makes for an inevitably derivative listen with that established, but it is also an undeniably infectious labor of love. Right off the bat, these experienced musicians absolutely nail the tropes for the style at hand.
The guitars and keyboards in particular are dead on; the former mixes in an array of wah-wah effects and acoustic minstrelsy with its Classic Rock grooves as the latter chimes in with period perfect washes of organ and piano. The vocals don’t attempt too many of David Byron’s signature falsettos but deliver the melodies in a husky but pleasant timbre.
The songwriting also does a good job of conveying the different vibes that made classic Heep so beloved. As an homage, the album features a strong cover of the most obscure Uriah Heep deep cut, “Green Eye”, an outtake from the 1972 classic ‘Demons and Wizards’ sessions.
Top it off with an extra vibrant, retro friendly production job.
The band has a firm understanding of their inspirations, bringing in plenty of memorable tracks and lively musicianship. It accomplishes exactly what it sets out to do and even listeners unfamiliar with their Seventies Rock idols could get something out of it.
Highly Recommended
01 – Gorgon
02 – Some Kind Of Poet
03 – Endless Run
04 – Man Of Many Tricks
05 – How Tomorrow Feels
06 – Golem!
07 – Just A Feeling
08 – It Happened In The Woods
09 – Born Liars
10 – Green Eye (Uriah Heep cover)
11 – Golem Reprise… Entering The Wunderkammer
Andrea Vilardo – Lead Vocals
Simone Bistaffa – Hammond Organ, Piano, Keyboards
Silvano Zago – Guitars
Francesco Dalla Riva – Bass, Lead & Backing Vocals
Walter Mantovanelli – Drums
BUY
www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0DRW4YHTC
