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Phideaux - Snowtorch CD (album) cover

SNOWTORCH

Phideaux

 

Crossover Prog

4.21 | 889 ratings

From Progarchives.com, the ultimate progressive rock music website

Dark Nazgul
3 stars In my opinion a bit overrated

First of all I must say that 'Snowtorch' is a good album of prog rock, recommended if you are a big fan of the music of Phideaux.

Unfortunately, this is not exactly my cup of tea. After the brilliant 'Doomsday Afternoon' and 'Number 7' my expectation for this album was very high, and I must admit that listening to 'Snowtorch' I feel a bit of delusion. I am very surprised about the good reviews, because I think 'Snowtorch' is not at the same level of the previous two albums.

For my taste the arrangements are too complex and the sound excessively redundant. Again, is a too keyboard-oriented work; The electronic keyboards overwhelm the other instruments and there is little space for acoustic instruments which is a shame, considering the great feeling that this artist has for acoustic music, as is evident listening to albums like "Ghost Story" and "Number 7'. Where are the flute, the vioin, the harpsichord and the sax? Where are the dreamy acoustic guitar parts? All these instruments are underutilized or almost always overshadowed by the keyboards and synthesizers in particular.

Some instrumental parts are too long, sometimes a little boring. Fortunately some vocal sections are remarkable, although it lacks the unique harmonies of "Number 7". There are highs and lows: cut here and there you can get a nice 20 minutes epic, but some parts of the album are objectively unnecessary.

I am a great fan of Phideaux music, and I hope he will return to the gothic approach of 'Doomsday Afternoon' or to the psychedelic folk of 'Number 7'. In my opinion this is a good but not essential album and nothing more. My final rating is 6/10.

Best song: Snowtorch Part Two

Dark Nazgul | 3/5 |

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