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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

Mellotron Storm
Prog Reviewer
4 stars If you like VDGG and those vintage seventies sounds chances are you'll love this album. I'm pleased to see that this record is getting some praise on this site just like their debut "Watch For The Umbles" did. I was trying to decide which one I like better between the two, and honesty for me it's a toss up right now. If anything this one sounds even more like VDGG than the debut. In fact GARGAMEL sound more like VDGG than VDGG does lately (last two albums), and better as well. Mellotron, sax, flute, Hammond, Rhodes, clarinet and some guest trumpet, cello and trombone are all added into this dark mix with fantastic results.

"Descending" is dark with bass as reserved vocals join in. It kicks in around a minute and Hammill-like vocals follow. It settles again before 4 minutes and I like the relaxed guitar that follows. It's starting to build. Vocals are back before 7 minutes then it settles again. Building once again. Amazing track ! Gotta love the Hammond in this one. "Prevail The Sea" opens with blowing winds before a full and heavy sound arrives before a minute. It settles with sax and vocals. Trombone I think with flute after 5 minutes. The tempo picks up before 7 1/2 minutes and Hammill-like vocals come in a minute later as flute continues. I'm reminded of the band RITUAL before 9 1/2 minutes with those spoken words. The mellotron after 10 1/2 minutes kills. Powerful organ late then a trumpet solo after 12 minutes.

"Trap" opens with bass,drums and organ as the vocals join in. It picks up around 2 1/2 minutes. Nice guitar 4 minutes in before the tempo picks up once again. "Labyrinth" is the over 18 minute closer. It kicks in before a minute with a great sound. Vocals 3 minutes in. A calm 6 minutes in with some atmosphere. It turns experimental. Horns after 9 minutes as melolotron joins in. It kicks back in after 11 minutes. Piano too. Guitar a minute later then some incredible organ before 14 minutes as drums pound. Vocals are back after 15 1/2 minutes.

I hope this band gets lots of votes in the "Best of 2009" poll. This Norwegian band really deserves it. It's like a taste of seventies VDGG in 2009.

Mellotron Storm | 4/5 |

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