Violet Dreams

After years of fronting Orodruin and Blizaro, John Gallo is no stranger to old school doom metal. His eponymous solo debut represents his further ventures into so-called “violet doom metal”, a concept birthed by classic Italian acts such as Death SS, Black Hole, and Paul Chain. Immediately striking in its weirdness, Costin Chioreanu’s dazzling artwork sets the tone for a mystical journey through warped yet wondrous dreamscapes. Handling everything himself means complete creative control, making Violent Dreams a project that is both personal and highly eclectic.

Although he wears his Italian influences on his sleeve, Violet Dreams owes as much to bands like Candlemass and Count Raven as it does to Death SS. Often building up with occult chanting and thunderous choruses, John Gallow is a many-sided concept. Largely improvised by Gallo, the twists and turns are darkly progressive, with unconventional solos and melodic touches at every bend. Traditional doom riffs, slowly and gloomily crawling along, support the Paul Chain-influenced experimental touches and funeral synths.

From the heavy metal shredding of “Purple Room”, to the 70’s synthesizer-instrumentation of “Ancient Tears”, Violet Dreams stands with both legs firmly planted in the childhood years of doom. The vintage aspect is echoed by the suitably muddy production, which serves to strengthen the personal atmosphere of the album. As the sole mind behind the music, Gallo bears his cross with remarkable skill. Although his voice is somewhat lacking, the strained vocals feel like a boon to the singularity of his vision. As with Karl Simon of The Gates Of Slumber, John Gallow has no need for pitch perfect falsettos or a booming soprano. The ever-shifting harmonies sprawling the hour-long album demands more than a surface taste, but ultimately rewards those who stick with it.

Truly a renaissance man, John Gallo successfully unearths a classic sound that has been slumbering mostly undisturbed for decades. If you have even a passing interest in the aforementioned Italian groups, or if you have a soft spot for those brilliant early Candlemass-albums, Violet Dreams is essential listening. A mournful monument of doom metal the way it used to be, and with the improvisational side transcending restrictive nostalgia, Violet Dreams is an occasionally bizarre yet entirely beautiful journey.


Written for The Metal Observer