NOUS

NODO GORDIANO are from Italy and they began life in the mid-nineties doing covers of songs from bands like KING CRIMSON, GENESIS and PINK FLOYD. The influence of each of these bands can be heard on this their latest album called "Nous". I first became aware of this band through their previous album "Flektogon" which really impressed me, so when I heard about this latest offering I picked it up as soon as I could. It's hard to believe this is a trio because they create so much sound. Effects and synths certainly help with that as they conjure up a lot of atmosphere at times.

"Portonovo" opens in a spacey manner with strummed guitar as reserved vocals join in around a minute in. This is all so laid back and we get percussion helping out as well. A change before 4 minutes as flute-like sounds join in and then it picks up before turning fuller with some aggressive guitar coming and going. A curious choice for the opening number I must say. "Aion" is a very FLOYD-like track circa "The Wall". Atmosphere and guitar brings PINK FLOYD and RIVERSIDE to mind. It kicks into gear after a minute followed by some prominant bass. Another atmospheric calm follows before 3 minutes then the guitar starts to make some noise as it builds. Another calm after 6 minutes but this is very spacey right to the end.

"Apologia Del Nolano" is a top three track for me. A dark beauty with out-front bass as the guitar comes in followed by these deep male vocals that have character. I really enjoy the drumming here. Glockenpiel to the fore after 2 minutes then a calm arrives before 4 minutes with laid back vocals. It stays this way until it ends although we get some organ late. "Nous" is another top three tune. A spacey intro goes on for some time then the guitar starts to solo and it all turns fuller before 3 minutes. I like how dark and powerful this becomes and check out the Hendrix-like guitar that echoes sort of like on "All Along The Watchtower'", a very similar tone. Love this stuff. A calm arrives 6 1/2 minutes in as it becomes atmospheric and dark. It then starts to build until it breaks out with power. "Officina" is my other top three and after a spacey opening with the guitar soloing over top it changes 3 minutes in to a GENESIS-like sound, especially with the pulsating organ but there's more to it than that. This ends before 5 minutes when it returns to a similar sound they started with on this track.

"Arthriana" opens with the sounds of birds which are replaced by glockenspiel and more then it turns powerful just before a minute. The guitar is crying out over top. A calm with more glockenspiel and bass before it builds. Boy this one changes moods a lot. It turns dark with bass before 4 minutes as the drums impress. Some nice guitar expressions as well. Samples after 6 minutes of horses and also people talking. More glockenspiel then it builds. Dark and powerful but restrained is how i'd describe the conclusion which is uplifting. "Stella Mary" opens with the sounds of waves rolling in as piano joins in reminding me of CHROMA KEY. Guitar expressions help out then there's a change before 2 minutes as it picks up. A dark calm before 3 1/2 minutes along with water sounds. The female vocal melodies before 5 minutes are a nice touch as this continues to the end.

Another solid 4 star album from these Italians who continue to impress the heck out of me.