LUNATIC SOUL II

4.5 stars. The RIVERSIDE frontman's second album doesn't veer off course that much from his debut. In fact they are connected lyrically as they deal with a story of death and the journey through the afterlife. On the first album our subject dies and he's trying to reach the tunnel of light and he does.This second album starts where the first album ended as our character is in the light and continues his journey. Lots of atmosphere and if you read the lyrics it's quite fascinating. It's like being in someone's bad dream where their soul just seems to drift from experience to experience.

"The In-Between Kingdom" is dark and atmospheric. Percussion after a minute followed by keyboards. It's building. It settles back late to end it as it blends into "Otherwhere". Acoustic guitar is joined by an instrument called a quzheng giving it an exotic flavour. Vocals before a minute. It settles and blends into "Suspended In Whiteness" a top three track for me. Acoustic guitar, a baby laughing and flute before the vocals arrive before a minute.The bass 3 1/2 minutes in is very deep and growly as the vocals stop and the sound intensifies.Vocals are back and this section really reminds me of RIVERSIDE. "Asoulum" features strummed guitar and vocals.The chorus is amazing on this song. Vocals and backing vocals come in as the sound becomes more passionate.The chorus is back before 4 minutes. A calm before 5 1/2 minutes to end it.

"Limbo" is keyboards, percussion, flute and effects. "Escape From Paradise" features bass and drums early as percussion and keyboards join in. Voices follow then vocals after 1 1/2 minutes. It kicks in before 2 1/2 minutes and the vocals are more powerful too. Great sound and a top three tune. "Transition" is the final top three track for me. Atmosphere galore until around 3 1/2 minutes when a beat enters then vocals with piano.The atmosphere is back 4 1/2 minutes in but it comes and goes like the vocals. It kicks in heavier after 6 minutes. Nice. Some emotion follows for me."Gravestone Hill" opens with acoustic guitar and keyboards as reserved vocals join in. Atmosphere ends it. "Wanderings" has this beat with keys as vocals join in. Bass a minute in. This sounds incredible.

I rate this a little higher than the debut but both are great albums. LUNATIC SOUL will continue according to Duda but he says this "Afterlife" story ends here.