-C-

I was asked by Toni from Nurkostam (first three letters from each member's surnames) to investigate their music so here I go. Reading the band description the most significant info to me is the fact their influences are wide but obviously go the progressive way. Let's see what comes out with this first release from 2009.

I like the opening semi-instrumental Pearl's Song with clearly fusion tendencies. It has things in common with fusionband Where's the Nine. Interesting track, nicely done (3,5*)

Crawlin' Nation is a carefully crafted song, slightly dark but also laid back. I like the keys on this one. Interesting melodic elements I have to say (3,25*)

Prison 4 is a very vocal track. A mellow song with some spacy atmosphere (3*)

My planet starts with space travel communication followed by normal vocals. Again the atmosphere coming off the song is crucial (2,75*)

Slo Lee must be an alternative way of writing slowly (another similarity with Where's the Nine). This one gets a bit creepy halfway but gets normal again after a few seconds. Another very vocal composition (3*).

Two very short tracks (Intentionally left blank and Shrine) are ok but no more (2,5*).

Gone is a short track with out of tune vocals. Kind of special thanks to emotion but not really mindblowing musically (2,5*)

The longest track Darkmoor starts off as an almost poppy song but just before halfway the instrumental part doesn't sound accessible at all and is done in Anathema style (slow with ambient feel). Best song on the album along with the opener (3,5*).

I'm not sure if I can detect so many styles and influences on this album. Ok, starting off with fusion and finishing with experimental/post rock could give that impression but it's not that I'm tossed to and fro in all kinds of musical directions. Nurkostam is more vocal than I had expected. Personally I feel their strength lies in their instrumental sections. And unfortunately they were pretty scarce on this album. But I wouldn't call this short debut a poor performance by any means so I will give them and encouraging three stars. There is potential in Nurkostam !