Introducing: Mind Control

Italian band Mind Control aims to encapsulate harmonious melodies, personal depth, and raw intensity into a progressive death metal sound that they describe as “melodic, intimate and brutal.”

The band hails from Abruzzo, a region east of Rome, and is formed of Stefania Salladini on vocals, Massimo Boffa on guitars and keyboard programming, Stefano Tatasciore on bass and Luca Nicolucci on drums. The quartet actually formed around a decade ago, releasing debut album Heptagon in 2014, but, after a nine-year hiatus, they returned with Hurricane. And follow-up single Rage laid the path for their long-awaited second album Elements, which was released in December and, in Stefania’s words: “We are back and really hope to captivate listeners with our new release.”

Speaking on the Mind Control sound generally, Stefania explained: “(It) is a dynamic fusion that can captivate even those unfamiliar with us. Imagine a blend of melodic intricacies, intimate moments, and raw, brutal energy. We navigate the realms of progressive death metal with powerful vocals that range from emotive to intense growls.

“Our music weaves through diverse atmospheres, creating a sonic journey that challenges boundaries while maintaining a melodic core. It’s an immersive experience that invites listeners to explore new sonic territories, channeling both power and emotion in every composition.”

Elements opens up with a methodical intro to its title track, which develops into a cool soaring riff supported by heavy drums and chugging chords. That leads into Rage, which blasts the album into life with a driving riff that drops into intense opening vocals. Relentless drums help to maintain the pace at breakneck levels, leading into a brutal section of wild vocals supported by darting guitars and pounding drums. Check it out in the stream below:

That’s followed by the intriguing Flames, which opens up with gothic vocals and a fun darting riff before more melodic vocals flow into heavier then spoken vocals. And that builds up to an intense section of powerful vocals supported by heavy instrumentals, then dropping into a mellow section. Next is the mammoth Effluent, which clocks in at eight minutes and 49 seconds, before the excellent Wind, which opens up with a winding lick giving way to delicious chugging guitars supporting Stefania’s powerful vocals. It drops into dual clean vocals, which feed into another heavy section before some progressive goodness that you can check out in the stream here:

The album is packed with great tracks like the slow-building Storm, the powerful Air and aforementioned Hurricane, which you can check out in the lyric video below, and we particularly enjoy the intensity of penultimate track Maelstrom.

Speaking ahead of the album’s release, Stefania told us: “Elements represents a natural evolution for us. While Heptagon laid the foundation for our sound, the new release showcases a more refined and mature version of Mind Control. Expect a progression in terms of aggression, complexity, and sonic depth. We’ve honed our musical identity, exploring new territories within the genre while staying true to our roots. Elements is a testament to our growth as artists, offering a fresh yet recognizable experience for those who have been with us since the beginning.”

“The anticipation is palpable, and we can’t wait for people to immerse themselves in the musical journey we’ve crafted. Expect a sonic exploration that pushes boundaries, combining melodic intricacies with intense energy. Elements is a culmination of our evolution – a more aggressive and mature sound that promises to captivate listeners and offer a truly captivating experience.”

The Mind Control sound draws on diverse influences, ranging from classic bands to more contemporary groups. Stefania tells us that the likes of Periphery, Monuments, Tesseract and Textures have been instrumental in shaping the band’s affinity for progressive and djent elements and guiding their composition and sonic exploration. While the melodic prowess, technicality, and intense energy of bands like Nevermore, Soilwork, In Flames, Arch Enemy, and Testament have impacted their diverse and dynamic sound.

And on what influences them to write music, Stefania told us: “We draw influence from the rich tapestry of life experiences, emotions, and the world around us. The interplay between light and darkness, the complexity of human emotions, and the ever-changing nature of existence serve as key themes that resonate in our music.”

We’re 99.9% sure that there won’t be another nine-year hiatus before we get new music from Mind Control. The band is currently immersed in the creative process, writing new music ahead of recording an EP that aims to offer a fresh perspective on their older tracks and explore new approaches. They’ll also have some gigs coming up in the summer.

And Stefania added: “Mind Control is a family. Our bond goes beyond the notes and rhythms, weaving together a collective spirit that fuels our creativity. We want our listeners to know that when they engage with our music, they’re not just connecting with a band; they’re becoming a part of our extended musical family. So, thank you for being a part of our musical family! And we’re looking forward to bringing our music to the stage and connecting with our audience in a powerful and immersive way.”

You can follow Mind Control on Facebook and Instagram, and check out their music on Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube.