THE BOOK OF HOURS

What happens when you merge the spirit of '70s and '90s rock and release it today? The result is The Book of Hours by Agropelter a sumptuous fusion of Camel, Eloy, and '70s Italian prog. and also a portion of the 90's sound from Änglagård, Anekdoten and White Willow, Kay Olsen, the mastermind behind the project, draws on this palette of influences to craft a sound that feels refreshingly original.

The Book of Hours is a completely instrumental album, beautifully crafted with dedication and vision. The production is clear and warm, and the execution reflects emotion. It's atmospheric and symphonic, full of strong moments all handled with care and a high level of musical quality. The artwork complements the music perfectly: dark - evocative, reminiscent of Roger Dean, yet striking in its own unique way.

The album consists of four tracks, including the title piece a four-part epic that unfolds as a cohesive musical journey. "The Book of Hours" is undoubtedly the highlight, but the 45-minute album as a whole stands out for its immersive, unified experience. Agropelter manages to transport the listener to a world of symphonies, vintage textures, and complex layers. Beyond the progressive influences, there's a strong influence of classical music, which adds depth to the composition.

Kay Olsen is the new guy in the global progressive rock scene and a new promise from the Nordic prog landscape. He plays Mellotrons, Hammond organs, harps, cembalos, moogs, Taurus bass pedals, guitars, and basses. He's supported by an exceptional group: Jonas Reingold (Steve Hackett, The Flower Kings, Kaipa, Karmakanic) on fretless bass; Mattias Olsson ( Änglagård, White Willow, Molesome) on percussion, vintage synths, and textures; and Andreas Sjøen (Umpfel, VADE, Sean Ashe) on drums along with several classical musicians contributing strings and wind instruments.

If there's any minor drawback, it's that the album occasionally stretches into ambient passages or leans on technical virtuosity reminiscent of some of the excesses of '70s supergroups like SKY. But this hardly detracts from the album's brilliance. With The Book of Hours, Kay Olsen may have created a future classic?an album that, with time, could earn its place among the genre's masterpieces.

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