4

Hmm, over 4 on the Prog scale here - 7 ratings, no review........Swedish Psych-Proggers DUNGEN are the brainchild of one Gustav Ejstes - composer, vocalist and multi- instrumentalist. On board he has a fine selection of talents, including Reine Fiske on guitar whose credentials read from LANDBERK, MORTE MACABRE and PAATOS, all fantastic bands which benefitted from his prescence. The rhythm section of Mattias Gustavsson (Bass) and Johan Holmegard (Drums/Perc.) supplies a vibrant, solid and exciting back-bone on several of the compositions here but it's mainly Ejstes & Fiske's show. All songs fall under 5 minutes, but to be honest, they need not be longer. The sound is unique ; quite raw - yet clean, retro - yet modern, and the structures of the tracks are never eleborated or expanded beyond the service of the songs, many which feature quite catchy melodies and range from the heavier end to light and airy. Ejstes' vocals are in Swedish and he owns a great voice and contributes effective piano and organ touches here and there. Many instrumentals appear sporadically throughout, almost sounding like excerpts from longer work-outs, and they mainly show-case Fiske's 'refined wrecklessness' with his guitar, all blisteringly performed and impressive as always, and backed with fine bass and percussive work. 'Samtidigt 2' is one of the best jams I've heard in quite some time. 4.5 stars for this choice, fifth outing by the boys, called '4'.