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Gargamel - Descending CD (album) cover

DESCENDING

Gargamel

 

Eclectic Prog

3.85 | 102 ratings

From Progarchives.com, the ultimate progressive rock music website

ZowieZiggy
Prog Reviewer
4 stars This band released an excellent debut in 2006, and I was quite looking forward to listen to their new album.

Their dark and powerful music is still there, and when one listens to the title track, there is only one reference that comes to mind: the huge Van Der Graaf of course. Mighty, complex, yet charming for those who are deeply marked (I am one of them) with this rather special band. There is also some good old psychedelia added to this number, which even adds some more nostalgia.

This is an excellent opener.

The long "Prevail" has the same flavour: dark and heavy although some beautiful flute play does add some light touch to this rather powerful song. Again, the atmosphere of the great Graaf is fully present. Either this can be felt as irritating or welcome. I belong to the latter category. Another great song IMHHO.

The short (according "Gargamel" standards) "Trap" also holds its bunch of complexity, wildness and fantasy. All this combined makes it a quite enjoyable song as well. So far, this album is certainly on par with their debut and is quite a good confirmation of their talent.

If ever you are willing to listen to some "Watcher Of The Skies" riff, please do join for "Labyrinth". Maybe too much this time. Some more personality might have been welcome. The next couple of bands featured here are (in chronological order): VDGG (would you believe!) and Floyd (for a disjointed instrumental part ŕ la "Saucerful Of Secrets").

If a band like "Araknamés" does appeal to you, there are lots of chances that you will be quite receptive to the dark music of "Gargamel". You'll have to be in for some "regressive" moments; but when the music is performed with so much skills (maybe not the vocals unfortunately), one can only applaud. I guess that this album will end up in the top ten of 2009.

It is only a pity that they almost don't tour. I would really like to go and see them live. Four stars for "Descending".

ZowieZiggy | 4/5 |

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