HOLLOW MOON

As already known probably, when it comes to the band VESPERO, there's usual practice to deliver concept albums which are picking up arcane themes from the human history in a wider sense. While leaving the Abyssinian Tales trilogy behind with bravura, 'Hollow Moon' then goes for a new dare. Maybe one can say dealing with hypotheses by early scientists and sci-fi authors about the moon's condition as such, and, of course also, how to get there possibly. And that surprisingly even goes back to the 17th century! Just to mention Edmond Halley, or Francis Godwin, who published the novel 'The Man In The Moone', considered to be one of the first works of science fiction ever.

This story is describing a space travel via special flying machine. No, apparently not Apollo 11, because pulled by wild swans as a contemporary choice. The album's front illustration though is showing an alternatively dated means of transport. Somewhat pointing to the H. G. Wells times, reminding me of that Yellow Submarine The Beatles once were using for their album. Nice picture in any case. The band line up remains, is stable over the recent years. Always sharing a jazzy note, guest saxophone player Pavel Alekseev already appeared on several previous albums. First of all, if you should dare to expect some old wine in new skins in the light of nearly 20 released albums in the meanwhile ... well, even music-wise the VESPERO crew define new goals. In the same way like fullfilling their recent mission alongside with Angel Ontalva.

This means nothing more than that they still are refining their uniqueness. Great respect in advance! If you don't step forward, you'll go backwards. Hence, during the album making-of, it was their challenge, but now it's ours, yeah! This is not easy to assimilate, take your time. The more I'm listening it comes more sophisticated. Based on a space rock fundament a step further towards an eclectic approach. Song writing clearly dominates as opposed to some possible jamming character with open end. Consequently there is a wide range of impressions to state. Exemplarily let me point out the clever excerpt Sublunarian. Here we will experience a classical touch in the beginning, due to strings and Vitaly Borodin's violin coming to the point.

Furthermore there is a curious percussion drive to state in some way. Kuzovlev's mandolin playing sounds a bit Ontalva inspired. Flight Of The Lieutenant appears to be a virtuoso affair par excellence, entertaining from the first to the last minute. When the album turns into an ambient respectively melancholic vibe, like on the beautiful Mare Ingenii for instance, I'm feeling great yearning coming up. Equipped with groovy passages Feast Of Selenites seems to be the centerpiece currently. The compelling Tardigrada's Milk evolves into a more folk and world music direction. You see, there's very much to explore, thus it's worth it to eagerly escort them towards the moon (and back).

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