81db

81db are an eccentric avant-garde metal band based in Florence, Italy. Their third release, A Blind Man's Dream, is a distinct exploration into the infinite possibilities of tone and musical styles. The concept was inspired by One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest, which makes perfect sense considering the absolutely erratic structure of this release. Founding member and guitarist Kostas Ladopoulos is an alchemist when it comes to his instrument, endlessly combining various time signatures, tones and styles — practically anything that expands his comprehension of music. One of the more iconic aspects of the group's sound is the Bouzouki (a Greek instrument resembling a guitar), which has been employed on numerous tracks from their previous release. However, with their latest offering, the Mediterranean instrument is used sparingly and substituted for heavier riffs. 81db traverse a number of musical influences, from classic rock to progressive and folk, ultimately creating an album inherently unique in every possible way. The only accurate comparison to 81db's original sound, and some may find this a disservice, is early Korn, due to the same fascination and exploration of tone and the immeasurable variations of sound that can be made with the guitar.