DID SWANS EVER SEE GOD?

One of the few reasons 2020 has been a remotely good year is the standard of modern prog, which I think is at its best for some time. At the heart of that has been the resurgence in the RPI genre: Logos' "Sadako e le mille gru di carta", La Maschera Di Cera's "S.E.I.", and now this one to finish the year, all three of which are 5* albums for me.

Here's where I show a bit of ignorance though - I've not listened to Submarine Silence's previous albums - however looking at the line-ups, this album adds the vocals of Manuela Milanese, who's harmony with the male voices really adds something special. I also don't know an awful lot about Milanese herself, but a quick google led to a YouTube video of her taking on The Great Gig in the Sky, and doing it well.

"Did Swans Ever See God?" for me is a brilliant symphonic album - many modern symphonic offerings I often score poorly due to sounding dated - If I wanted 70s sound, I'd listen to something from the 70s. This though doesn't give me that feeling despite the clear Genesis/Yes influence.

Best tracks on the album bookend it - the opener Undone is more Genesis-like, plus a long belting guitar solo, while Echoes of Silence Pt 2 is more of a Yes-meets-classic-rock grand finale. In between, the fast paced Runaway Strain and darker, heavier Deeper Kind of Cumber are also great tracks.