When it comes to underground Rock and Metal, Italy doesn’t get as much appreciation as regions like Scandinavia or countries like Greece and Germany. But it’s still a hotbed for some of the coolest bands around.
Some of the very best Italian Stoner Rock bands (and Stoner Rock-adjacent) bands include Black Rainbows, Ufomammut, and Psychedelic Witchcraft—and we’ve also covered bands like Ikitan and Sonic Demon.
But the one thing all five of those bands have in common is a Psychedelic influence.
Enter Warcoe.
Warcoe is a Doom band out of Pesaro, Italy, and they’re the first Italian band we’ve covered that hardly has a tinge of Psychedelic Rock in their sound. In fact, Warcoe is one of the few bands that say they sound like Black Sabbath and actually sound like Black Sabbath.
About Warcoe
Originally started in 2021, Warcoe has always specialized in delivering their vision for prototypical Doom Metal—complete with lead singer and guitarist Stefano Fiorelli channeling his inner Ozzy.
But we’re getting ahead of ourselves. For The Giant’s Dream, Warcoe is:
- Stefano – guitars, vocals, and bass on tracks 6, 7, and 8
- Carlo – bass on tracks 1, 2, 4, and 5
- Francesco – drums
A DIY band at heart, the band self-released their first singles, EP, and even The Giant’s Dream. Their hustle and Fiorelli’s songwriting were enough to get them noticed (and signed) by Helter Skelter Productions and Regain Records for a physical re-release.
The Giant’s Dream Album Review
Tracks: 8
Length: 36:55
Release Date: March 27, 2022
Label: Helter Skelter Productions/Regain Records
1. Giant’s Dream
“Giant’s Dream” perfectly sets the Warcoe template of what’s to come: old school Metal inspired by the forefathers of Doom (with special attention given to Black Sabbath).
Be sure to listen for that delicious lead guitar!
2. Cats Will Follow
There’s plenty to love in “Cats Will Follow.” While some sections slip into the slow and low Doom territory of early Black Sabbath, the band occasionally breaks into upbeat, palm-muted power chords that propel the song forward. By the time we reach the chorus, the band channels a sort of punk-inspired energy—an interesting, unexpected twist! Plus, that guitar solo is a true standout moment for The Giant’s Dream.
3. Omega Sunrise
I didn’t expect an acoustic song on The Giant’s Dream, and I certainly didn’t expect one so early on.
“Omega Sunrise” is a beautiful but distressing acoustic instrumental. And while its purpose is unclear on a record like The Giant’s Dream, it does demonstrate the band’s ability to diversify their sound.
4. Fire and Snow
“Fire And Snow” is another somewhat unpredictable track. That meandering bass line gives the song a vaguely Psychedelic feel during the verse, while that big primary riff calls to mind bands like Down. This is another incredibly cool track—and it’s made even cooler by that groovy guitar solo near the end.
5. Winternaut
After the wave of noise in the introduction, “Winternaut” settles into a Black Sabbath-inspired Doom template. Swinging slow and low, the band savors the final note on each riff. This is a purely instrumental track, and it’s among the heaviest songs on The Giant’s Dream.
6. Thieves, Heretics And Whores
Although “Thieves, Heretics And Whores” is a cool track, instrumentally speaking, Fiorelli’s vocals seem to be buried a little bit deeper in the mix.
And while that’s not always a bad thing, there are some cool, layered vocal melodies that aren’t getting the respect they deserve.
7. Scars Will Remain
As the longest song on The Giant’s Dream, “Scars Will Remain” fully embraces its Black Sabbath influences, combining forboding lyrical themes, Bill Ward’s exciting fills, and Tony Iommi’s tone and delivery.
Interestingly, “Scars Will Remain” abandons the typical song format to have its own unique, extended outro.
8. Church of Void
Like “Scars Will Remain,” “Chuch of Void” perfectly encapsulates that Black Sabbath sound, but the track suffers in a few spots in the same way “Thieves, Heretics And Whores” does—with one exception. Instead of losing the vocals on this track, we miss an exhilarating lead guitar that’s buried deep in the mix—even when listening with headphones.
Final Thoughts On The Giant’s Dream
Final Score: 8.5/10
Standout Tracks: “Cats Will Follow” and “Fire and Snow”
Pros: There are tons of bands that try to sound like Black Sabbath, but Warcoe actually pulls it off.
Even more importantly, they do it without sounding completely repetitive.
Moments like “Omega Sunrise” and the outro to “Scars Will Remain” show the band can innovate in their songwriting, while their ability to craft unsettling soundscapes makes them a true Heavy Metal/Doom band.
Cons: For all of this album’s strengths, there are a few moments where I would love to see more polish.
As previously mentioned, we miss the bulk of the guitar acrobatics on “Church of Void” simply because they’re too far back in the mix. It’s the same deal with the vocals on “Thieves, Heretics And Whores.”
And as cool as “Omega Sunrise” is, it’s still strangely out of place. Normally, an interlude track like this fits best right in the middle of the album to give the listener a brief reprieve from the onslaught of Metal.
Still, The Giant’s Dream is an overall impressive effort!
Learn More About Warcoe
To learn more about Warcoe, check out their Bandcamp or follow them on Instagram or Facebook.
Hey, this would be a great topic to talk about this week: Italy!!!
Ooo I’d love that!