GA'AN

"Chasmaeon" is opened by two minutes of progressive electronic that's one of my favorite prog subgenres. I wondered about why the band was suggested to Zeuhl but I understood immediately what the reason was just after hearing the operistic voice of Lindsay Powell. So imagine a repetitive hypnotic theme with a Zeuhl flavor very well played with a special mention to the drums. The music is quite melancholic instead of being dark as often happens with Zeuhl bands specially in the second half of the song when the repetitive theme is replaced by the compulsive drumming which accompanies a melancholic melody.

"Living Tribunal" comes as a natural follow-up. The very sad intro is quite symphonic. Even when the drums start playing compulsively I can hear echoes of Gustav Mahler or Albinoni. At least the music transmits the same sense of sadness of Mahler's 3rd symphony. When Lindsay sings her voice is monotonous and repetitive as a mantra. This enhances the listening experience. She sings in the best possible way for this track, a very excellent one. The final crescendo makes it grow even more. The variation is provided by a great bass line until the coda which occupies the last seconds.

"1 Of Infinite Forms" is immediately uptime. This time it's drums and piano which drive. The bass is compulsive and even on this track Lindsay sings hypnotically. The melody is very proggy. In some moments it makes me think also to Renaissance. The tempo is very fast and captivating and the operistic singing provides a fantastic contrast. Another reference? The choristic parts of Atom Heart Mother even more connected to classical symphonic music. There's no solution of continuity between part 1 and part 2 so it can be treated as a single track. The last three minutes make me remind Eloy's Ocean, that's one of my favorite space rock albums. Please note that even with all those references to classic prog this is still Zeuhl.

"Servant Eye" reminds me again to the psychedelic period of Eloy but thanks God with Lindsay as vocalist. There's a great synth work which provides the best possible layer for the performances of drums and bass in the instrumental parts. Try to imagine Frank Bornemann speaking on it with his strong German accent.... The music changes suddenly in the last two minutes as Ga'an wanted remin us that they are making what they call "minimalistic prog-rock". This is another very good track which ends with a vocal crescendo and ends suddenly.

Bass and drums to introduce the keyboards on the closer "Vultures Of The Horn". It's the most Zeuhl track of the album but it contains also other elements. In particular the drumming and the continuos minor chord played by the keyboard in the instrumental interlude have some of the Post Rock of bands like From Monument To Masses, but the vocal parts are always hypnotic. The changes in the theme male it sound like a small suite, a 7 minutes epic. I can't say if it's dark or sad or anything else. It's very dreamy. Have you present when you wake up suddenly in the early morning with still some images and sensations of your last dreams? This is how this track, specially the second part makes me feel.

Other than Zeuhl, people who likes Krautrock, Space Rock and Progressive Electronic will surely like this band and its very excellent debut.

4 stars that are probably rounded down....

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