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04/21/2024

Nuovo Testamento, May 1st at Mission Theater

 By MATT HANSEN // International dance trio rebooting sounds like Italo disco and synth-pop will co-headline Mission Theater with The Mission UK

The name Nuovo Testamento may sound like Christian music, but the only thing this trio worships is 80s dance nostalgia, and devotedly. One half Italian tradition and the other half sleek Los Angeles studio production; Nuovo is the paring of Italians Andrea Mantione & Giacomo Zatti and LA’s Chelsey Crowley (Terremoto / Crimson Scarlet). With all three of Nuovo's members coming from punk and goth rock scenes, they bring a new approach to the neo 80s sound that makes dark emotions and shadows a priority, when historically those elements aren't usually found in Hi-NRG music. Nuovo's most recent single is a remix of the track “In My Dreams” for Vol. 2 of the Next Wave Acid Punx compilation, which pumps up the fiery Italo disco feel of their synthy dance sound.

Yet, with ear-worms like the track “Heat,” Nuovo doesn’t need the help of a remix in order to get your ass to move. “Heat” builds with a thumping bass and a plunging snare, and then goes dark in tone with synth lines carrying Crowley’s jilted lyrics like “I'll burn it down if you don't give me what I'm dreaming of.” Crowley’s voice is crisp on every track, like if a 30-year-old Madonna made a dark Italo disco record in 1988 and worked with the cream of the crop of synth pop producers of that time. Mantione and Zatti surely have the sound of Italian discotheques of the past flowing through their blood, but it's easy to see that goth clubs are just as important to their heritage. Nuovo played Coffin Club last fall on tour, and will be returning to Portland on Wednesday May 1^st at Mission Theater and will play Eugene on Sunday May 5th.

With 80s goth rock band The Mission UK also on the bill, this show will be a meeting of old and new sounds from the same decade. Be at this show if black eyeliner and lace gloves are your favorite choice of evening wear. 

ON TOUR: Nuovo Testamento / The Mission UK  at Mission Theater  on Wednesday, May 1st, 2024. Doors 7:00PM / Show 8:00PM / (Tickets) 21+ Show 

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