BEDSORE – Dreaming The Strife For Love

Italian death metal at its finest: Bedsore adds an exceptional new layer to Rome’s underground and takes it beyond Italy’s borders.

 

After all, when “death metal” and “Rome” appear in the same sentence, the word that comes to mind is guarantee. Many bands around the Colosseum explore these sounds in every direction. Some, like Stormlord, have been active since the early days, taking a symphonic path. Others, such as Ade, evoke the Ancient Empire. Some, like Corpsefucking Art and Devangelic, embrace sheer brutality. Others, like Hideous Divinity and Hour of Penance, blend violence with technicality for a bone-crushing sound. Then there are bands who start from classic ferocity but draw on ’70s prog, adding atmospheric and psychedelic touches to craft a near-unique sound based on exceptional compositional skill, like Dreaming The Strife For Love.

 

The Rome-based quartet made their mark with their debut Hypnagogic Hallucinations (2020). On that album, progressive elements framed intense death metal. On this second album, though, the focus has shifted: complex song structures now take center stage, embedded in a surprising, intense soundscape, made majestic by sweeping symphonies. And, last but not least, Italian lyrics feel more fitting than ever.

 

The sense of witnessing a grand work is clear from the start, with opener Minerva’s Obelisque setting the tone. It shifts between heavy and airy passages, blending synths, mellotron, and organ. These, orchestrated by Stefano Allegretti, often replace guitars as lead instruments. Jacopo Gianmaria Pepe’s vocals are raw and expressive, adding a poetic layer that complements Davide Itri’s precise, dynamic drumming. The six connected tracks flow smoothly, transporting the listener into a spiritual, introspective, and immersive experience. With diverse arrangements, the album draws you in deeper, leaving the listener hypnotized.

 

It’s no coincidence that a quality label like 20 Buck Spin has taken notice of Bedsore and supported their remarkable work. Dreaming The Strife For Love demonstrates a remarkable evolution, a leap in quality that was already hinted at on the debut but is now fully confirmed. The future for this band can only be bright.