The title of this album translates from Latin to ‘Love Of Fate’ and something many of us accept in life. At a recent gig with Shape Of Water, I was handed this CD by Sarah Furbey, who kindly got the band to sign it for me. Fate or otherwise, after listening to their live show, I couldn’t resist reviewing Amor Fati, which came out last October.
The first of ten tracks, ’Starchild’ begins softly with keys gently tapped and Rox Capriotti hitting the high notes. The synth pressure is increased as the melody takes over and the song embraces echoing vibrations and humming to create an out of world experience. ‘Falling’ measures up with simple lyrics ‘I’m Falling, Take My Hands Tonight, I’m Falling, Please Help Me Tonight’. It’s a beautiful song, that haunts your mind and remains trapped within. On a different level ‘The Snoot’, which reflects a sour relationship with a female of the night, is laid down with so much passion. There’s a cute riff from Luca De Falco, that spices it up, before racing to the finish. During the live concert ‘Don’t Leave Me In The Dark’ was well received, I remember it’s catchy chorus along with the emotional vocals from Rox and both are captured exquisitely on this recording, however I didn’t catch on about it’s cheeky meaning at the time, watch the video below for more clarity! It must be an Italian ability, to serenade with so much sensitivity as ‘When This Is All Over’ not only has the most spellbinding words, it’s silky delicacy is sublime. ‘Numbers’ is also packed with love, but has intervals of lush synth and heavier drums, that offset the contrast.
Photo Credit – Anthony Bellamy / Giffard Arms 28/1/23
Shape Of Water are not completely fixed in romantic scenarios, as ‘A Ghost In Manchester’ proves. A grinding introduction with a foreboding atmosphere, it creeps along with Dickensian melodrama. Ghostly indeed, it sends shivers down your spine, while having a morbid charm, ‘I’m Just A Poor Ghost, nobody Loves Me’. It touches on the theatrical with genius intensity. Lighter in context ‘Everybody’s Gone’ is still a sad story describing an empty ‘theatre of sorrow’, but the notes bounce with a warm expression and the guitar provides a lovely change of chords. The keys are dominant as ’Terraformer’ rises. Another with haunting melody, it chimes in constant waves, overlapping and embracing all before it. A screaming guitar piece and shrill undercurrents make this track pretty unique. The soaring notes continue on ‘Words In Eternity’ but Rox sings in varying octaves, that carry it along with persistent grace. A delightful end to the album.
Influenced by Muse and Ultravox, Shape Of Water are basically a techno/electronic duo, but the use of synthesiser’s combined with the original writing and theatre, make these Italians stand apart. The album is a journey you will never forget, it leads to the most distant horizons.
CREDITS – All songs were written and produced by SHAPE OF WATER. Mixed by Rox Capriotti. Tracks 2/3/4 were Co -Produced by Tayte Nickols at Mad Fox Studio, Manchester. Mastered at Fader Mastering by Grant Berry. Released on Eclipse Records.
Artwork by Luca De Falco.
The Band are – Rox Capriotti – Vocals, Bass, Synth, Piano and Luca De Falco – Guitars, Backing Vocals.
Additional musicians on the album – Tom Monk/Drums tracks 2/3. Nate Barnes/Drums tracks 5/6/8/9. Chris Barber/Drums track 7. Filipe Caeiro/ Drums – tracks 1/10. James Holt/Fender Rhodes track 1. Criss Ott/Trombone track 7. Samuel Davies Silva/ Tenor Sax track 9. Damian Bolotin/ Violin track 8.
‘It must be an Italian ability, to serenade with so much sensitivity.’HIGHLIGHTS – Falling, Don’t Leave Me In The Dark, A Ghost In Manchester, Terraformer.
