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Vespero - Shum-Shir CD (album) cover

SHUM-SHIR

Vespero

Psychedelic/Space Rock

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mitarai_panda
4 stars Vespero is also a very important band in the psychedelic community (at least I think so), from Russia, the music has early pf, faust and gong's style, can be quite demon wonder. This year's new album "Shum-Shir" can be said so, the opening of the psychedelic atmosphere reminiscent of OZRIC TENTACLES, but the band's iconic violin immediately join, a lot of color. The concept of the album seems to be tribal carnival (cover so), so you can hear many of the original atmosphere of percussion and drums, murmurs in the first song is very psychedelic taste. The second song's violin is still good, the third song's bass performance is a highlight, but unfortunately the album is too short, only five songs 40 minutes, the last two songs some of the things before the repeat. I still prefer their last album, more mature atmosphere and mellow, but also more memorable classic melody. But in short is a solid four-star, looking forward to their more works (if we can be more strange, even better haha).
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Posted Friday, December 29, 2017 | Review Permalink
kev rowland
SPECIAL COLLABORATOR
Honorary Reviewer
4 stars Originally released digitally and on vinyl in 2017, this has now also been released on CD with some additional songs. This is the eighth full-length studio album by Russian band Vespero, and is the second in the 'Abyssinian Tales' series, following on from 2016's 'Lique Mekwas'. Apparently, 'shum-shir" is an ancient Ethiopian ceremony where every ten years the tribal elders and shamans would choose a new Nəgus' (King) for the entire tribe. This took the form of imbibing various drugs and dancing all night, and in the morning they would make the pronouncement. I continue to be impressed with the music coming out of Russia, and these guys are somewhat of a surprise to me as I felt I was fairly well informed, yet they have been around since 2003 and it is the first time I have come across them.

They are an instrumental outfit, with more than a hint of Ozric Tentacles about them, but the violin is more important than woodwind, and percussion more important than either. This is space rock, but they have also taken on many influences from world music and fusion, with the result being an album that is incredibly impressive and inviting, while also not conforming necessarily to what people may expect from the Russian music scene. I just continue to be impressed with the quality and variety of the music coming out from that particular part of the world, and this is yet another unknown (at least to me) outfit that demands further close inspection. Psychedelic, progressive, meandering yet with direction, this is an album that fans of bands such as Ozrics or Gong should be seeking out.

Report this review (#1916476)
Posted Saturday, April 21, 2018 | Review Permalink

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