ALMAGEST

When i see this portuguese band in 20 essential space prog i was surprised, because nobody from the progressive portuguese scene knows them. They are from Braga the third larger city in Portugal, that have a little expression in portuguese panoram music. They have no label, they are not selling records. The album is in their site for free. My curiosity lead me to search from interviews and only found one in portuguese, but from another project of the keyboard player of the Egyptian Kings, and he says this about the process of composing : " For me, is something astronomic is like if the universe implode in me, is like being crusher by the whole cosmic mass, by the whole universe caos..." After reading that i thought: wow.

Now let´s write about the music:

1. Murmurs - The first music take you to new dimensions of deep, meditative thought, soon the synth sound is accompanied by angelic-scaring voices in a demonic choral section with the help of flute that takes you out of this world.

2. Pale White Dot - I really like this music,i think it´s divided in three parts, in the first we have a celestial flute solo, with the bass work in their best. The second part is darker with a great original guitar solo. And the third I think is really influenced by Brian Eno ambient work. I really love the guitar in that tone, coming and going. One of my favorite musics in the album.

3. Low Mass Stars - The best music of the album. A really epic. I think this music will open the doors of perception in everyone. It´s a journey, and Egyptian Kings do their effort to unveil the laws of universe with music. Masterpiece.

4. Spirit of the Water - It starts with with a hypnotic flute, and then appears a sample with a female voice talking about water problems, and warning all of us.Then starts a new ambient with the best flute work in the album and the work drums in their best too.

5. Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors - This music will touch you in your heart. You will be immensely powerful in the most sensitive side of Egyptian Kings. One of the best memorable sounds in the album.

6. Cosmos Celestial Movement - the perfect ending music of the album with a beautiful,brighter melody of calm flute and then the album comes to a close,and you know you have been in the darkest corners of the universe and now you are back.

I see this album as the culmination of years and years of the space rock music. For me it´s the best portuguese album of all time. Highly recommended!

Rui Madeira, Lisbon