Nicola Giacobbe’s Oltre Il Confine Is a Masterclass in Wordless Expression

For as long as I can remember, I've gravitated towards instrumental music. A musician once told me how liberating it can feel to create without being confined by the boundaries of words and lyrics, and that sentiment has always stuck with me. With this in mind, please welcome Italian artist Nicola Giacobbe and his hugely impressive eight-track offering Oltre II Confine.

A collection of song ideas spanning back to 2003, Oltre II Confine is described by the artist as his "personal diary" and was influenced by his experiences, literary loves, and subconscious revelations. A showcase of Nicola's guitar-playing prowess and wide-ranging sonic palette, every tune tells a story in ways words simply can't.

Rapimento, the album opener, is a six-minute epic that sets the tone for what's to come, with intoxicating riffs and a spacey undertow that instantly pulls you in. Prinsegracht then takes things down a notch initially and provides a more dreamy atmosphere, before eventually descending into that same powerful goodness of its predecessor.

Other personal favourites include La Zona, the relentless Prometeus, and the record's scintillating closer Le Ciminiere Di Pollbeg. And, while it may take some time to be fully appreciated, Oltre II Confine reveals more of its depth and beauty with every listen.