LYCANTHROPE

I agree 100 % with tszirmay's thoughts on this album. Like him I really enjoyed MANGALA VALLIS' debut, but this one does little for me. The ex-PFM vocalist Bernardo Lanzetti is definitely not an upgrade, in fact it's the oposite. The mellotron on the debut was fantastic but according to PlanetMellotron it's not real here, it's sampled. Bottom line though is that the songs just aren't as good. Sure there are those moments, but overall it's probably not an album i'll play again. Heck even David Jackson playing sax on a couple of tracks doesn't save it.

"Echo Absolute" features samples of different sounds including a siren before synths and organ wash in to end it as it blends into "Cosmotrafficjam". Organ leads the way in this uptempo intro. Vocals and mellotron after a minute as it settles. The tempo and mood continues to shift. Some passion in those vocals at times. Nice guitar after 5 minutes, synths follow. It settles with piano 7 1/2 minutes to the end. "Call Me Alias" opens with floating organ. Lots of atmosphere here. Strummed guitar 2 minutes in followed by fragile vocals and mellotron. Taseful guitar 5 minutes in as vocals stop. "Lycanthroparty" builds with synths and drums. A good rhythm a minute in then vocals join in. It's ok. "Hum / Animal Song" sounds really good with the atmosphere and tasteful guitar. Vocals come in sadly. No I mean sadly.

"The Boy That Howls At The Moon" needs some help desperately. It opens with wolves howling until mellotron takes over. A beat then vocals follow. A change before 3 1/2 minutes as organ comes in. Guitar 4 minutes in and later before 5 1/2 minutes followed by organ. More prominant guitar 10 minutes in. Vocals and organ late. "The Mask" is uptempo early with organ and drums leading the way. It settles with vocals 2 1/2 minutes in. Organ and nature sounds before 6 1/2 minutes. Nice beat 8 minutes in followed by mellotron and guitar. Good song. "The Transparent And The Obscure" is laid back as reserved vocals, acoustic guitar and organ come in. Drums follow as it builds. Passionate vocals 4 1/2 minutes in with some backup vocals to follow. Themes are repeated. Nice guitar late.

This is barely 3 stars.