White Tornado...

I’m diving back into the vaults for tonight’s update by posting a few things by the excellent and sadly overlooked Italian math/noise-rock band White Tornado. The band was formed around 1993 by experimental/improv guitarist Ninni Morgia and with the lineup of Morgia, Massimo Sapienza (vocals), Jeremy Evans (guitar), and Ivan Bonica (drums) they released their first EP titled Leg in 1996 through Lollypop Records. The EP was definitely the band in its infancy, not containing the full blown grinding twisting mess of a sound that they would later achieve. However, this was definitely a good start. It often times reminds me, especially on the song “Gino”, of the blunt forceful swagger that Big’n pulled off so well. The vocals are also blown out similarly to that of Unsane or Big Black. The latter of those two had the largest influence on the band from what I can tell. For an interesting listen, I’ve posted their cover of Nick Drake’s song “One of These Things First”. Hardcore Drake fans may want to withhold downloading that one…

Following the Leg EP the band jumped right into a full-length album titled From Hand to Mouth which was released on Freeland Records in 1997. This also saw the exit of guitar player Jeremy Evans and the addition of guitarist Marcello Di Lorenzo. The album, in terms of clarity, was much improved from the EP. This is also where Morgia’s presence is for the first time really felt, with the songs taking on added elements and twists. It’s a huge step up from Leg. Sadly, I don’t think this album is very easy to find anymore. Never fear though, I’ve provided a link to the full album. I do suggest picking it up if anyone does happen to run across it. Well worth having, that’s for sure.

White Tornado’s final two releases would come in the form of splits, one being a vinyl 7’’ with Colossamite released in 1998 through Freeland & Rock n’ Roll 86. Their contribution, “Contrived”, to the split is one of the best pieces they recorded. It’s a great blast of tinny sounding noise that captures some of the finer moments from the bands past and present. The second of the splits was a CD with Oxbow released in 2000 through Wallace Records. It features yet again, three excellent cuts from the band.

Leg:
White Tornado – One of These Things First [MP3]

From Hand to Mouth:
White Tornado – From Hand to Mouth [full album]

Split 7’’ w/ Colossamite:
White Tornado – Contrived [MP3]

Split CD w/ Oxbow:
White Tornado – Poem to the Most Affectionate Lady [MP3]

Most of the material is out of print these days, or just hard to come by. However I think Wallace Records still has copies of the Oxbow split for sale on their website. So definitely give that shot.