DOESN'T IT END HERE?

"Doesn't It End Here" is the latest release from Australian band Arnioe and it unleashes the creative talents of founder, vocalist and multi instrumentalist Aron Scharfegger. The focus is on the instrumental sections where Aron plays guitar solos and indulges in glorious keyboard workouts. His vocals are easy listening style, and the lyrics are based on searching for meaning and love, as well as metaphysical themes and dreams, and what is on the other side. Aron is joined by the steady rhythmic beat of percussionist Richard Paitsh, and bassist Alan Seis. There are passages of beauty with the viola and cello from the hand of Liz Sisales.

The music ranges from heavy Prog through to the moods of ambience and tranquillity with such gorgeous pieces as 'Save Me from Falling', opening with a bed of spacey synthesizers in the spirit of Pink Floyd's 'Shine On'. It builds gradually with esoteric guitars and a breath of piano. Then it bursts into a full blown rollicking rhythm with a great bassline and drum beats with a frenetic organ working overtime and some guitar riff distortion. It is a great start to the album.

'River of Mercury' is laced with synth chimes tingling and a smattering of viola until the tempo quickens and swooping spacey synths soar. The vocals are well executed and more raspy than Aron on past albums. The piano reverberates beautifully as cosmic synths from Mars shimmer over and are joined by a delightful high pitched keyboard; extremely spacey.

'Don't Know' opens with spaced up synths and then rhythmic acoustic vibrations with more than just a hint of Yes' 'And You And I'. I like the melody on this as Aron sings to the guitar, and there are some very pleasant acoustic picking along with the strumming. Aron sings "you say that secrets have been found but I don't know". The chorus sounds similar to an acoustic Led Zeppelin song I have heard. Later the song becomes interlaced with quivering pitchy synths and symphonic pad. Suddenly a metal distorted guitar crunches in and some delirious lead solos, bringing the song to another level. It is an awesome innovative song with many mood swings to delight in.

After these fantastic three songs, the album continues its level of excellence on 'Chinese Whispers'. an infectious guitar riff cranks along over a swirling synth foundation. The riff is wonderful making me want to pick up my guitar and work it out. This song again features some great vocals over a wall of sound, and it blazes with acoustics and a melodic chorus. The lead break plays over the heavy riff with admirable skill. Then piano in staccato style and some vocal intonations change the mood. There are some glorious synth workouts towards the end; a terrific track.

'Asian Eyes' pulls back the sound to an isolated piano playing pretty notes as Aron sings melancholy style. The key pads are beautiful underneath, creating an atmosphere of tranquillity. Later it builds to an emotional lead guitar break with nice string bends on full stretch and tremolo. It is one of the best guitar solos on the album and really lifts the emotional resonance. The squiggly synths enter and a very different faster style ends the track.

'Endless Dream' opens with piano and vox sounding a lot like Peter Gabriel; "how can I survive?" A haunting piano interlude comes later, and some angelic harmonies and a beautiful Cello solo creating a Gothic soundscape. Easily the most ethereal song on the album.

'See You On the Other Side' is a mini epic just under 10 minutes, and features a rhythmic acoustic beat and shimmering organ as the verses are sung. There are several time sig changes from hyper fast to slow and measured. This has a number of complex switches in cadence and time signatures. The shuffling rhythm that breaks through is a rocker and always is followed by a steady tempo. There is a break and Aron sings, "rise, breathe, see another day with me, near, far, reach beyond the stars." The guitar here reminds me of the coda of Yes' 'Starship Trooper'; in the same way it reminds me of the extended coda of Arnioe's 'Centre of the Universe'. What an awesome track to close the album.

In conclusion I believe this is Arnioe's best album to date. It is certainly very symphonic and spacey and perhaps one of his most progressive in terms of musicianship and song structures. On first listen I was impressed, but on subsequent listens the songs really grew on me. The guitar riffs are catchy, the synths are mesmirising and the vocals are superb throughout. This is a wonderful album with some of the best musicianship from the creative talents of Arnioe.