Tigris & Euphrates

Two years after their highly acclaimed debut Tanzlinde, italian sound adventurers Sherpa return with Tigris & Euphrates, showing just how far an album can be from another that comes from the same place. While Tanzlinde thrived on short, melodically colorful tracks, Tigris & Euphrates is a conceptual work. Dark, calm, sometimes menacing and as ambitious in its subject matter as its title. All six songs revolve around the evolution of human language through the ages and how communication has changed the relationships between people. For better or for worse.

Four of the six pieces stretch out over seven minutes and take all the time they need. Light and shadow alternate like in Renaissance chiaroscuro. Cardone's bass alone has the power to stun, while gentle guitar lines and soft vocal harmonies repeatedly brighten the gloom. The closer Descent Of Inanna To The Underworld compresses all of this into one final grand arc before the album fades out in long lingering sounds.

Tigris & Euphrates is Sherpa's most mature work to date. It is an album that barely reveals its strengths on the first listen but will catch you on the second and third.

Sherpa are
Matteo Dossena – guitar, lyrics, composition
Franz Cardone – bass
Axel Di Lorenzo – guitar
Ivano Legnini – drums