Confrontational: Horror, Synthwave, and Rock Combined
When you think about horror, synthwave, and rock, you don’t usually imagine them all getting along like old college roommates. But Confrontational, the brainchild of Italian musician Massimo Usai, tosses these genres into a blender, hits "purée," and somehow crafts something you can't stop listening to.
Imagine if John Carpenter scored a movie about vampires riding neon motorcycles through a post-apocalyptic city. That’s the vibe. It's cinematic, it's moody, it's badass—and it’s surprisingly catchy.
The Birth of a Soundtrack for the Apocalypse
Massimo Usai started Confrontational with one simple mission: create music that sounds like a horror movie you want to live inside. Drawing inspiration from retro horror soundtracks, 80s synth legends, and gritty rock 'n' roll, he crafted a sound that feels both nostalgic and futuristic.
His music is:
-
Heavy on atmosphere
-
Packed with pulsing synths
-
Carved with dark, brooding guitar riffs
-
Wrapped up in dramatic, haunting vocals
If you ever wanted to feel like the main character of a graphic novel while walking to the grocery store... yeah, this is your soundtrack.
Where Horror Meets Synthwave Meets a Leather Jacket
Listening to Confrontational is like slipping into another world. You’re suddenly cruising through a deserted highway at midnight, neon signs flickering, your leather jacket creaking as you shift gears.
Speaking of jackets—slight flex incoming—if you're vibing with this aesthetic, you should check out Newretro.Net. We specialize in retro-inspired men’s fashion: think denim and leather jackets, sneakers that scream "future 1984," sunglasses that block out both UV rays and boring vibes, and watches that could time-travel if they really tried. If Confrontational were a brand, he'd probably be wearing Newretro gear while shredding his guitar under a blood-red moon.
Building a Cinematic Universe One Track at a Time
Massimo doesn’t just write songs; he builds mini-movies with sound. His albums often feel like complete cinematic experiences. You can almost smell the fog machines and see the flicker of neon against rain-slick streets when you listen.
Albums like A Dance of Shadows, Kingdom of Night, and The Burning Dawn aren’t just playlists—they’re journeys. And the best part? Each album feels interconnected, like chapters in an epic dystopian saga.
Influences: From Horror Icons to Synthwave Heroes
Massimo's influences read like the dream dinner party guest list for anyone who’s ever loved a midnight horror flick or pumped synth music at unreasonable volumes.
-
John Carpenter: The horror film king whose synthy scores are legendary.
-
Dario Argento: Italy’s godfather of stylish, gory horror films.
-
Goblin: The Italian progressive rock band known for scoring Argento’s films.
-
Depeche Mode and The Sisters of Mercy: Those dark, brooding tones? Yeah, they’re a direct inheritance.
But don’t worry—you don’t have to be a horror movie nerd to enjoy Confrontational. It’s the kind of music that hooks you whether you're familiar with Argento's Suspiria or just think synths sound cooler than guitars (no offense, guitars).
Sound That Transcends Genres
Confrontational isn’t easily pinned down. Sure, there’s the synthwave vibe, the horror atmosphere, and the occasional guitar heroics—but it never feels forced. It's not “rock with synths” or “horror soundtracks with a beat.” It's its own creature, prowling the night streets of music genres like some sleek cyberpunk wolf.
Here's what you can expect when you dive into Confrontational's sound:
-
Synth lines that throb like a second heartbeat
-
Guitar solos that sound like a desperate cry through a storm
-
Vocals that whisper and howl in equal measure
-
Rhythms that make you want to dance... if you were dancing alone in a haunted arcade
Collaborations That Bring Even More Firepower
One thing that sets Confrontational apart is his savvy collaborations. Massimo has worked with a slew of notable artists across the synthwave and rock scenes, adding new textures and voices to his tracks.
Some of the artists he’s teamed up with include:
-
Tony Kim from Dance With The Dead (because nothing says "let's party with zombies" like killer guitar work)
-
Cody Carpenter (yes, the son of the John Carpenter)
-
Tobias Bernstrup, who brings an extra dose of retro-futuristic flair
These collaborations aren't just gimmicks—they genuinely enhance the cinematic feel of his albums. It’s like assembling the ultimate Avengers squad, but everyone’s dressed in black leather and they drive muscle cars instead of flying.
Aesthetic on Point
Everything about Confrontational, from the music to the album covers to the merch, screams “aesthetic.” There’s a careful, deliberate visual style at play—lots of neon pinks, blood reds, and deep shadowy purples. If Instagram had a "Vampire Synthwave Apocalypse" filter, Massimo would already be using it.
And again, if you’re thinking, “Man, I wish I could dress like this music sounds,” you know where to find us—Newretro.Net has your back (and your jacket).
The Live Experience: More Than Just a Gig
If you ever get the chance to see Confrontational live, do it. Seriously, cancel your dentist appointment or fake your way out of whatever boring dinner party you had lined up. You won't regret it.
A Confrontational show isn’t just a concert—it's an event. Picture this:
-
Smoke machines blasting enough fog to summon Dracula himself
-
Strobes and neon lights flickering like you just stepped into a Blade Runner deleted scene
-
Massimo Usai on stage, looking like he just walked out of a cyberpunk spaghetti western, shredding riffs that make your bones vibrate
The atmosphere feels half rock show, half otherworldly ritual. You’re not just listening; you’re inside the music. It's sweaty, it’s loud, it’s emotional—and you’ll walk away wondering if you’ve just witnessed the beginning of the coolest apocalypse ever.
Why Horror and Synthwave Go Together Like Peanut Butter and Bananas
It might seem weird at first: why would horror themes fit so perfectly with synthwave beats? But when you think about it, it makes total sense.
Synthwave is all about nostalgia—about remembering a past that never really existed but feels vivid anyway. Horror taps into something similar: primal fears dressed up in stylish visuals. Both genres feel larger-than-life, packed with drama, color, and emotion.
When you mash them together like Confrontational does, it’s like capturing lightning in a bottle... and then using that bottle as a Molotov cocktail at a haunted 80s roller rink.
Themes That Stick with You
One of the coolest parts of Confrontational’s work is how much he leans into strong themes. His music often explores:
-
Personal transformation (yes, even the scary kind)
-
Battling inner demons
-
Power struggles between light and darkness
-
The beauty and danger of nostalgia itself
It's deep stuff—but not the kind of "let's all sit in a circle and cry" deep. More like "let's jump on a motorcycle with flaming wheels and ride through the night facing our fears" deep. Way cooler.
Perfect Soundtrack for Your Retro Adventures
Whether you're working late under flickering neon lights, gaming through the night, or just want to pretend your commute is a scene from Drive, Confrontational’s music sets the perfect tone.
Honestly, it's exactly the kind of music that pairs well with a killer retro jacket and some attitude. Lucky for you, at Newretro.Net, we’ve made it our mission to supply just that. Our collection of denim and leather jackets, retro sneakers, and rad sunglasses can help you live out your synthwave protagonist dreams in style.
Because let’s be real: every hero needs the right armor.
Hidden Gems: Not Just the Big Hits
Sure, tracks like “Flatliners” and “Dance of Shadows” get a lot of attention (rightfully so—they slap), but some of the deep cuts in Confrontational’s discography deserve serious love.
Songs like:
-
“Stand Your Ground”
-
“Keep Faith”
-
“Under the Killing Sun”
These tracks blend haunting synth melodies with raw, emotional vocals that make you feel like you're walking through the ruins of a neon-drenched city after a rainstorm. They’re cinematic, they’re powerful, and they deserve to be blasted at irresponsible volume levels.
The Future: What’s Next for Confrontational?
Massimo Usai doesn’t seem like the type to sit still for long. Every album has been an evolution—pushing deeper into new sounds, darker corners, and more epic storytelling. And if the trend continues, the future of Confrontational is going to be even wilder.
Speculation is flying around about more collaborations, potential film scores, and even broader sonic experiments. (Fingers crossed for a full cyberpunk vampire opera. Don’t laugh—it could happen.)
The point is: Confrontational isn’t done. He's just getting started. And based on the dark magic he's already conjured, we can’t wait to see—and hear—what’s next.
A Legacy Written in Neon and Blood
At the end of the day, Confrontational is more than just music. It's a full-blown experience. It's a journey through your favorite horror dreams and neon fantasies, a place where nostalgia and danger walk hand-in-hand down a midnight highway.
And honestly, isn't that what life should feel like sometimes?
-
Big risks
-
Bigger vibes
-
Leather jackets
-
Good music
-
And just a little bit of danger to keep things interesting
If you haven’t jumped on the Confrontational train yet, now’s the perfect time. Throw on a pair of retro shades, fire up the stereo, and crank it to 11. Just make sure you're wearing something that can handle the ride—Newretro.Net has plenty of retro armor for you to choose from.
Because in Confrontational’s world, you’re not just a listener. You’re part of the story.
Leave a comment