STOP MOMENTUM

It took about five years to receive a new sign of life from this exceptional band, which is originating in Florianopolis, Brazil. In 2012 COBALT BLUE recorded their debut EP, already highly esteemed, when it comes to my impression, at that time as a trio. Now the core seems to be reduced to drummer Felipe Canan and multi-instrumentalist Julio H. Miotto (guitars, bass, keys, vocals), both practically responsible for concept, design and production. Nevertheless, as usual most likely, the recording crew for 'Stop Momentum' shows up with a bunch of additional collaborators on diverse instruments. And when playing live finally the band is always going to extend to a quintet, for good reason.

They definitely have expanded their musical and compositional profile within those years. Hence the new album shows some ambitious song writing and tricky execution. For example, conceived by Miotto, the opener At Due Gesture appears dealing with dementia respectively Alzheimer's disease. It all leads into a speech based on a dialogue between Doctor Alois Alzheimer and Auguste Deter, who later will insist 'Ich habe mich sozusagen verloren - I somewhat lost myself'. It is said, she became his first patient where he clearly diagnosed the given problems as an evident disease. A rather courageous move at that time, as this took place at the turn of the century from 1800 to 1900.

How about the song title by the way? It's just an anagram, deriving from the name Auguste Deter! Awesome, isn't it? Musically put into practice this issue starts in a cheerful optimistic mood including agile bass, playful electric piano and synths. Everything seems to be on the right track so far. After some time though they are running into a rather whacked out respectively even delirious downfall, like losing control, accompanied by the aforementioned dialogue. Hey, according to the story I find this a convincing implementation, not less than a masterpiece of art in its entirety! And there is so much more to detect here.

Miotto's treble voice and singing behaviour sometimes comes close to Omar Rodríguez-López, just taking the powerful aggressive Catalyst as a suitable exemplar, crowned by some saxophone and guitar duel beauty. Compared to this heavy psych outfit in general, the nice polyphonic vocal drenched Drops n' Doors is completely contrasting somehow. Dweller Of The Sevenfold then can be nailed as another album masterpiece with reason. Twists and turns en masse, this gem definitely needs your full concentration. Circadian Clock at the latest reveals Miotto as a real guitar wizzard.

Furthermore, besides the well-regarded drum playing offered by Canan, there is also a lively expressive bass guitar to state over the course, mostly contributed by Miotto again. 'Stop Momentum' is a really multi-faceted progressive heavy rock album, certainly recommended to fans of The Mars Volta either way, though clearly featuring more psychedelic essence overall. Will I ever have the chance to see them live on the stage? Regarding the lush and untamed studio sound this surely will need at least five chaps to bring over the approach in a proper way. There are some videos available anyhow which will serve a clue. No matter what, you shouldn't miss this album!