GHOST CONVERSATIONS

AZIOLA CRY are a Post-Metal band out of Chicago who cite TOOL, KING CRIMSON and GORDION KNOT as influences. This is their second release from 2007 and as far as I know the last(so far). This is an EP worth just over 23 minutes, while their debut was a full length studio album from 2005 called "Ellipsis". This is dark and it can be quite heavy although they employ plenty of atmosphere. Grand Stick, Stick bass, programming, drums, acoustic and electric guitars make up their sound. These guys can play.

"Ghost Conversations I" opens with a dark atmosphere and it's about 3 minutes in before the picked guitar arrives while the atmosphere seems to get louder and more haunting. Cymbals clash and make prolonged sounds 4 1/2 minutes in while the guitar cries out over top. It kicks in hard at 6 minutes as powerful sounds pulsate. I love when the sound levels out and the guitar plays over top. So good! A calm 7 1/2 minutes in with lots of atmosphere and there's almost waves of it to the end.

"Ghost Conversations II" reminds me of GORDION KNOT early on then the riffs kick in but they are brief. The guitar soars above the dark soundscape of drums, guitar and atmosphere. It turns more powerful then settles back quickly. It kicks in hard once again 2 minutes in, powerful stuff. Another calm 3 minutes in. Man this is beautiful as the guitar starts to solo in a relaxed manner. It kicks in hard once more late.

"Ghost Conversations III" has these stop and go riffs and drums with atmosphere then it levels out. Great sound! These contrasts continue. Check out the slow and heavy guitar 4 minutes in along with the powerful atmosphere. Some cool sounding guitar parts follow a minute later then we get some extended guitar expressions after 6 1/2 minutes. The tempo picks up 7 1/2 minutes in then we get a big finish with some energetic drum work to say the least.

Worth the 4 stars despite it's length but you need to check out the debut if you like this style of music.