IT ALL BEGAN WITH LONELINESS

2023 has been a fantastic year for progressive music, especially for debut albums from promising and talented bands and artists like "Crowned Lands," "AVKRVST," "Lars Fredrik Frøislie," and "Tritop." However, none have impressed me as much as "The Anchoret" with their release, "It All Began with Loneliness."

What sets this album apart is its unique blend of melodic and experimental passages, incorporating sax, flutes, and clarinet seamlessly into the songs without sacrificing the genre's typical heaviness and aggression. Figuring out The Anchoret's main influences has been a challenge for me, as some tracks like "A Dead Man," "Buried," and "All Turns to Clay" remind me of Dream Theater, Riverside, and Opeth, but the majority, especially the instrumental sections, have an eclectic mix of elements reminiscent of King Crimson, Motorpsycho, Gentle Giant, and Steven Wilson's "The Raven That Refused to Sing."

One of the album's strongest points is its cohesiveness. Every song flows magnificently into the next, and the overall length of about 60 minutes is perfect to fully appreciate the talent and musicianship that The Anchoret brings to the table. While all members shine throughout the record, James Christopher Knoerl's drumming and Sylvain Auclair's vocals stand out and deserve special recognition.

"It All Began with Loneliness" breaks away from the repetitive and stagnant tendencies that sometimes plague the prog metal scene, offering a fresh and innovative approach. The Anchoret has proven that it is possible to bring new ideas and imagination to the genre, and that is why I consider this album a masterpiece of progressive metal music (5/5 stars).

Top 3 songs: - Someone Listening (8:05) - Forsaken (7:26) - Stay (7:00)