Sandcastle is Mardi Gras’ Album Out Now
Good Day Noir Family,
Sandcastle unfolds like a film without images, telling its story entirely through music and lyrics.
Sandcastle is Mardi Gras’ Album Out Now
The opening track, The Dance of the Sand, begins with a mysterious piano line that creates an atmosphere of introspection.
Then, a sparse acoustic guitar strum adds a sense of desolation, almost dystopian, before Liina Rätsep’s voice enters—clear, emotive, and narrative-driven. From that moment, you’re drawn into a journey that feels more like a sung novel than a traditional album.
As the story progresses, Cinematica reveals the band’s harder edge. A fierce guitar riff kicks things off, while strings cut through with sharp, rhythmic precision, creating an epic atmosphere. The album tells the tale of Nicholas and Cecilia, siblings surviving hardship in Jersey City after losing their parents.
Each track feels like a chapter, painting vivid scenes through melody and words, making it easy to visualize their struggles and triumphs.
After The Fire stands out with its slow build, starting as a ballad. The use of a megaphone effect on Rätsep’s vocals in select moments adds a raw, intriguing texture that heightens the emotional impact. The song grows steadily, swelling with intensity, until it feels like it’s carrying the weight of unspoken memories.
Stop The Presses shifts gears again, with a riff that nods to Led Zeppelin’s cadence, merging driving hard rock with melodic passages. Mardi Gras blend hard rock, prog, and symphonic elements into a singular, cohesive sound.
Their technical skill is evident, not only in the instrumentation but in the precise arrangements that never feel overindulgent. The production balances modern clarity with a timeless warmth, giving each track depth without losing its grit.
The album closes with Don’t Touch the Sinner, which begins with a hypnotic, loop-like repetition—like a record momentarily stuck—before breaking into a rich, emotive piece that carries echoes of Irish ballads, evoking misty landscapes and ancient traditions. It’s a cinematic yet intimate finale, leaving the listener with a sense of closure and longing.
Sandcastle is an immersive narrative, an epic story told through music that demands to be experienced in its entirety.
Sandcastle is Mardi Gras’ Album Out Now!
Cinematic!
Sandcastle is Mardi Gras’ Album Out Now
Mardi Gras is an eclectic Italian band known for blending rock, folk, and soulful melodies with a rich emotional depth. Fronted by Liina Rätsep, an Estonian singer-songwriter with a background in jazz, pop, and electronic music, the band brings together a diverse lineup of accomplished musicians.
Fabrizio Fontanelli, guitarist, songwriter, and founder of Mardi Gras, draws inspiration from Irish music and 1950s Memphis sounds. Alessandro Matilli, pianist and arranger, brings refined harmonic textures shaped by his classical training and love for Bach, Hendrix, and Pink Floyd. Carlo Di Tore Tosti, bassist influenced by Paul McCartney, delivers warm and melodic basslines, while Valerio Giovanardi, a versatile drummer with roots in progressive metal and jazz, drives the rhythm with precision and energy. Completing the lineup is Fabrizio Del Marchesato, guitarist and musical explorer with a passion for grunge, blues, and the intricate style of Mark Knopfler.
Together, Mardi Gras crafts songs that are heartfelt yet powerful, rich in storytelling, and shaped by the band’s wide-ranging influences—from alternative rock to folk, blues, and beyond.
Find Mardi Gras Here:
Spotify
Instagram
Discover New Bands Click Here
Get Our T-Shirt!
Noir News
Reviews
