Active in Rieti, Italy, from 1985 to 1990 circa, Engel Der Vernichtung took their name from an Einsturzende Neubauten track but without embracing their noise industrial path (even if I read that "L'art De La Mort", their first demo was a mix of "religious noise" and romanticism). They released only two vinyl 12", "L'amour Fou" (a MLP containing six tracks, released thanks to the Roman record shop Disfunzioni Musicali and to their Angel record label) and "Angeli Di Polvere", their only full length which is their most ambitious project, as it was developed on different levels as it was comprehensive of a record and a book, both focused on the same theme: drugs. The intention wasn't to talk about it under a social profile, but as a link to describe feelings or experiences born from its use. Initially the book should contain poems by Antonio Veneziani but they choose to extend the invitation to ten different poets and used their text as lyrics. Along with those poems, the book had more poems of the same poets plus writings about angels by Michelangelo Billi, Francesco Italiani, Sara Italiani and Giancarlo Susanna. About drugs they included a writing by Alberto Abruzzese, an interview with William Burroughs, a short writing by Giancarlo De Cataldo and two Paul Klee paintings donated by his son Felix. Musically the first MLP was in balance from piano suites and energetic but still romantic new wave moments (the long opening track "En Dansant La Fin De La Vie" had them both). Inspired by Wim Mertens and This Mortal Coil music, the trio formed by Daniele Arisi, Roberto Feliciangeli and Federico Festuccia were succeeding into making an interesting record that was showing their potential. This potential, in my opinion, blossomed into "Angeli Di Polvere". The ten songs of that album succeed into express fully the band's ideas and from a trio, they became a quartet with Paolo Campanelli. Tracks like the opening "A Elsa Morante" or "Frammenti" make understand also to the casual listener that this was a quality album where players were expressing their feelings through songs full of energy, melody and passion. Piano, accordion, hard drum beats and vibrating bass lines are the key elements of the first track, while "Frammenti" is more based on seducing/mysterious atmospheres, strings and recitative vocals that deliriously talk about morphine. As I told you, this album was their best. Anyway'¦ Why am I talking about Engel Der Vernichtung? Well, Oltre La Nebbia il mare just reissued their releases on a double CD which, along with the releases I just mentioned, contains eleven tracks which have never been issued. It's a fortune that these tunes aren't being hidden no more, as these could have been issued as their second album. An album which could have been a perfect night album for its atmospheres. The band created a mix of wave, electronic ambient, neo-classic, like it was a sort of mix of David Sylvian, Wim Mertens and Clan Of Xymox (check "Theme I" and "Theme II" on their "Medusa" album) and succeed into creating something that gently rock you and makes you feel anxious at the same time. Really nice release!