Some musical tendencies that everyone hears in a moment or on other is a fruit of a musical trend that happened in a time in the past. It’s not a sin that Alternative Rock and other tendencies that became famous at the end of the 80s and on the first half of the 90s are consequences of the abandonment of the 60s psychedelic elements, of Punk Rock energy and others, or a combination between them. And it’s not a sin to say that the Italian mad Rockers of BRAIN PAIN are up to something unexpected (and good), as heard on “The Magazine”, their first album. The band’s music has deep roots on musical movements that earned attention during the first half of the 90s, especially Funk Rock, Stoner Rock, Alternative Rock and Grunge, and even other musical traces can be detected on their musical mix.

Without creating comparisons, it’s not a sin to say that influences of RED HOT CHILKLI PEPPERS, ALICE IN CHAINS, SOUNDGARDEN, FAITH NO MORE, JANE’S ADDICTION and others can be heard here, but under a personal sewing that they create. But without such technical works, if you’re into Alternative Rock tendencies, “The Magazine” is for you. The album was recorded at Haunted Recording Studio, and the sonority of it is a kind of ‘stripped-off’ one, with things being exposed with a ‘live feeling’ (in other words, something that would be easily reproduced on a live gig), with very good and simple instrumental tunes. And all sounds defined and clean, so it’s easy to understand what the band expresses.

Musically, it’s easy for people that don’t care for subgenres’ names love it deeply, especially due excellent moments as “Brain Cream” (a frantic Alternative Rock song full of energy and melodic hooks, with charming vocals being boosted by excellent guitar riffs, but pay attention to bass guitar playing), “Apricot Sorrow” (a typical melancholic Rock song with an accessible appeal, with many clean moments), “The Craving” (a heavier moment of the album due the excellent and weighty drums’ playing, but expect some elements that resembles QUEEN and THE BEATLES), “The Butcher of Grangaisbrook” (another heavy song, but here the essence of Alternative Rock appear a lot on the melodies), “Samsara” (here the Grunge/Alternative rock ways of the band becomes evident, especially on the singing), and “Spread Love Around” (a touch of Reggae on the album).

Again: “The Magazine” is an album to those with an open mind and that doesn’t care about subgenre this or that. And BRAIN PAIN is really a very good band.