EIGHT MOMENTS OF ETERNITY

In 1986 Isildurs Bane hit the road out of Sweden for the first time.The band visited Germany for a three-week tour, playing mainly in pubs and having an overwhelming reception.In 1987 they recorded their fourth album ''Eight moments of eternity'' at the Starec Studio, the first far from a concept theory, introducing Czech bassist Fredrik Janacek in the place of Stigge Ljunglof.Another vinyl issue on the band's own label.

The sound is similar to the previous release, you can tell by the half futuristic/half childish front cover that you expect nothing less than an 80's-styled Prog album with all its goods and bads regarding the period.''Eight moments of eternity'' has a slight dash of a more symphonic vibe compared to the previous album, still it's rooted somewhere between 80's Prog, New Wave and Fusion, suffering from weak keyboard sounds, unbearable beats and a very mechanical drumming.The trumpet and horn parts are among the album's highlights, very warm and melodic, in addition to some sax and flute parts, which offer injections from the band's previously folkier stylings.They still use some of the old KAIPA sweet, melodious textures during the more symphonic sections and they are confident enough to combine them with the heavy horn parts.Instrumentally they are pretty solid, all melodies and arrangements are worked till' the last detail, this could be a really serious competitor, if recorded in the 70's, using the vintage instrumental and production values.But as it is, the album sounds a bit robotic with the production and instrumental selection being the main reasons.Big surprise comes from the short instrumental ''The second step'', which follows the lines of THE ENID, featuring great guitar work and an excellent orchestration on percussion, flute and oboe with a full orchestra line-up, the only piece recorded at Studio 38.

Good arrangements, but bad production/instrumental selection.Things are pretty clear.If you can stand the weak 80's recording techniques, ''Eight moments of eternity'' is still a pretty decent album.Otherwise this will end up to be a far from enjoyable listening...2.5 stars.