Pisa's Zako don't treat surf music as background music for the beach. On "II: From the deep abyss", the Italian quartet dives into darker waters, blending reverb-soaked guitars with cinematic melodies, modern instrumental rock and just enough heaviness to keep things unpredictable.

Instead of racing through two-minute twangers, the band lets its ideas unfold. Echoing guitars drift through moody soundscapes before erupting into powerful surf riffs, while tracks like "Black Mamba", "Supernova" and "DieNamite" show that instrumental surf can be every bit as dramatic as it is catchy. Metal influences occasionally creep in, but the twang is always at the heart of the sound.

If classic surf evokes sunshine and palm trees, Zako prefer deserted coastlines after dark. "II: From the deep abyss" is atmospheric, adventurous and refreshingly modern without losing sight of its instrumental surf roots.