CLOSURE/CONTINUATION

Finally, the long awaited Porcupine Tree new album is here! What does it sound like? Well, I have listened to it six times and to me it certainly sounds like something coming out of Steven Wilson solo work (circa Hand cannot erase or 4 1/2) more than PT itself. This is not a bad thing, but I was expecting those dreamy, psychedelic passages connecting equally inspired heavy rock bursts. The problem here is that the heavy passages are present, but they tend to be a bit repetitive, and the softer connecting parts add little to the music, and they serve more like interludes between the heavier parts. The exception to this is Chimera's Wreck, a new classic in the band's catalogue. The album production is impecable, that's for sure, and every song is full of details. You can discover something new in every listen. Let's see the rating:

1. Harridan - A great way of starting the album, here I love the softer parts and the voice of SW - 8.5/10

2. Of the New Day - Very good song, the powerful, dissonant breaks are great - 7.75/10

3. Rats Return - Reminds me of Home invasion-regret 9. Not bad, but does not reach the level of these songs - 7/10

4. Dignity - very accesible, reminds me of something from Stupid dream or Lightbulb sun with some new age vibes here and there. The ending is great, although is a faster repetition of the main melody - 7.5/10

5. Herd Culling - The main theme is, again, a bit repetitive, luckily the heavier parts save it - 7/10

6. Walk the Plank - Honestly, don't like it. It would have fitted better with the style of The Future Bites - 4/10.

7. Chimera's Wreck - The absolute highlight. Melodic, intense and original. The second half is my favourite moment of the album. 9/10

8. Population Three - The first of the three extra tracks present in the special edition reminds me of Opeth's recent efforts with its combination of a powerful rythm section, dissonant rifts and dynamic changes. To me, this track serves as the perfect extension for Chimera's wreck. Another highlight - 8.75/10

9. Never have - Moving to the territory of In absentia and Deadwing. I'm not 100% convinced with some changes, but the chorus is amazing - 7.5/10

10. Love in the past tense - Beautiful would be the word to describe this song. Classic PT sound here too. 8/10

A 3.5 stars album for me, rounded up to four because of Chimera's wreck and the bonus tracks.