Per Te by Anima Nera is a musical journey into the heart of romantic melancholy,
showing the Italian band’s deep connection to both their roots and their emotional
depth. The track exemplifies Anima Nera’s ability to craft music that deeply touches the
listener, weaving together the threads of love, memory, and the passage of time.
At the core of Per Te is its evocative melody, which draws in the listener from the very
first note. The song opens with a tender piano introduction, setting a reflective tone that
perfectly complements the introspective lyrics. This piano motif serves as a canvas upon
which the rest of the composition unfolds, gradually incorporating layers of guitar, bass,
and percussion. The instrumental arrangement is deliberately restrained, allowing the
emotional weight of the lyrics to take centre stage while still providing a rich, textural
backdrop.
The vocals of Massimiliano De Angeli are nothing short of spellbinding. His voice
carries a gravelly, emotive quality that is perfectly suited to the song’s themes of love
and loss. De Angeli sings with a sincerity that makes each word feel personal and
deeply felt, as though he is recounting a love story that is still raw in his heart. This
emotional authenticity is one of the defining features of Anima Nera’s music, and it is
on full display in Per Te.
Lyrically, Per Te delves into the notion of eternal love — love that endures even as it
fades into memory. The song reflects on how past relationships linger in the mind,
reappearing unexpectedly as dreams or shadows on the wall. This exploration of love’s
lasting impact is poignant and universal, striking a chord with anyone who has ever
experienced the bittersweet pang of lost love. Anima Nera’s lyrics are simple yet
profound, conveying the essence of these complex emotions with a poetic grace that is
reminiscent of the great Italian cantautori.
The production of Per Te is polished and sophisticated, with Roberto Visentin’s
direction ensuring that every element of the track enhances its emotional impact. The
song’s arrangement is balanced, with each instrument contributing to the overall
atmosphere without overpowering the vocals. The guitar work of Stefano Speranza
deserves special mention, as his solos are both expressive and understated, adding depth
to the track without detracting from its reflective tone. Similarly, the rhythm section,
comprised of Lorenzo Piva on drums and Fabio Lanaro on bass, provides a steady,
pulsing foundation that drives the song forward while maintaining its melancholic
mood.
What makes Per Te particularly compelling is its ability to evoke a sense of nostalgia
without falling into sentimentality. The song is as much about the passage of time as it
is about love, and Anima Nera handles this dual theme with a deft touch. The music and
lyrics work in tandem to create a mood that is both wistful and hopeful, suggesting that
while love may change and fade, its memory remains a powerful and enduring force.

Anima Nera has always been a band that values substance over style, and this is evident
in Per Te. There is no excessive virtuosity or overblown production here — just a group
of musicians who are deeply committed to their craft and to expressing genuine emotion
through their music. This authenticity is what sets Anima Nera apart from many of their
contemporaries, and it is what makes Per Te such a remarkable track.
Per Te is a beautiful example of what modern Italian rock can be — passionate, poetic,
and profoundly moving. It is a song that stays with you long after the final note has
faded, a tribute to the enduring power of love and memory. For fans of Anima Nera and
for anyone who appreciates music that speaks to the heart, Per Te is not to be missed. It
is a reminder that while some loves may fade, the songs that immortalise them can last
forever.

Review made by Lucy Cicioni