The new album Crossing Over by Padua band Yutopia is off the charts with energy. With their powerful crossover groove—melding rock and roll, hip-hop, funk and even metal (think bands like Rage Against the Machine, Limp Bizkit, and Linkin Park)—topped with their mad vocal flow, the band pulls you into their musical space and makes you feel like you belong. One of the things that stands out is the sheer conviction with which they deliver their lyrics on anything from pop-culture parodies to social commentary. Yutopia is totally about going against the grain, and it comes across in songs like “Brutta Gente”, all about being exactly who they are no matter what pressure society puts on them. And if they don’t win you over with that message, they will with the music. Riff heavy, full of groove, fat bass, powerful drumming. This mini-album has everything you need for rocking out. The album was released in 2013 and Yutopia is made up of Andrea “Ace” Ceccon on guitar and vocals, Andrew “Borso” Borso on bass, and Edoardo “Edo” Lettera on drums and vocals. The name Yutopia—a play on words between you and utopia—carries the message that everything you do should belong to your personal space, and you should totally own that space. They certainly do a good job at carving out their own personal musical space. And they’re no strangers to the stage either. For the past couple of years the band has taken on an intense live schedule, performing at a variety of venues and festivals in the Vincenza area, winning second place at the Bassano Music Awards and first in the Jo Rock Contest. Come down to see Yutopia at The Factory Theatre in Padua where they’ll be taking on the semifinals of Emergenza Festival Italia. Stay tuned for more details on the show. You won’t want to miss it.

MC