DESCENDING

Gargamel returned with their second and last album (as of 2024). The album is a continuation of their style with a mixture of VDGG, some King Crimson. Overall, the pace is slower and there are excursions outside of prog such as the bluesy rock of the first track in its instrumental part. This one doesn't capture my attention until the 8th minute when the music finally starts to lift up.

"Prevail" feels like a very long track, with kind of a jamming feeling. "Trap" is my favourite track thanks to the Hammond and great symphonic melotron in the end.

"Labyrinth" starts in the King Crimson vein, very serious but too my dislike, soon turns into a non-melodic VDGG singing. The instrumental mid part is OK but to me, feels like a filler (let's create a 17-minute last track like on the previous album). It's the 11-th minute when all hell breaks looks finally and all band players showcase their skills.

If I should compare it to the previous album, this is a slight bit weaker. Singing appears more often (not their strength) and the instrumental contributions are less significant. Still a 3,5 star album.