NOMAD

Best contemporary eclectic prog band

One of my favourite bands of the 10s continues to evolve in sound and maturity to become fully complete and leading eclectic prog band in world prog-underground scene. Already big boys, the Dutches Sky Architect offer very mature production from an exceptional dimension in terms of sound and composition. Nomad is a logical evolution to A Billion Years of Solitude's style /their best album till the release of Nomad/. Nomad influences on many and different levels using a bowl full of different skills and ways of expression. With it the band completely abandons its original/initial style of heavy-symphonic type of prog and establishes itself as one of the most prolific eclectic bands full of energy and varied types of ideas. At the same time time Sky Architect continues to explore deeper and deeper the slower post-rock genre as well. All of the compositions are complex, profound and innovative. These are no more talented youngsters, but just an established eclectic band that produces complex masterpieces. They skillfully play with the tunes, tempo and tonalities. Just a great and highly recommended album!

Already within my top 10 of the decade.

I've been a big fan of Sky Architect ever since their spectacular debut Excavation Of The Mind in 2010, but after listening to their somewhat unfocused/uninspired experiment A Billion Years Of Solitude, I wasn't so sure how this new release would turn out to be. So after a few spins of Nomad I can safely say that this is a good return to form, not only in quality but also in style, the album is closer to their two first albums than to their previous one, the songs bear a more "traditional" kind of songwriting, and by traditional I mean by Sky Architect standards, meaning complex, imaginative with lots of twists and turns. It looks like the band have worked their asses on this one, the sound is amazing, it's not your modern crystal clear kind of sound but a more organic almost vintage like. The songwriting is excellent, clearly there's been a lot of thought put into those songs, the melodies are catchy and infectious, and the whole band sounds very focused and tight, they seem to find the correct way of building tension while the music is growing and growing until it's released and flows to the next idea. They do not break new ground but instead came up with a very strong album.

Wasteland strikes you from the get go with a bang of heaviness and an odd syncopation groovy rhythm, it's just Sky Architect's way of saying hello...after everything's calms down the song can begin with as straight forward as you can get, but as straight forward as it was it changes in a second to a tight and complex frenzied jam including a heavy sound on top of their trademark odd time signature, it then builds up towards the end as the sounds gets heavier and more intense, a very good start indeed. Endless Roads (parts 1 and 2) shows the opposite and branches out more, the first part has a quirky and groovy rhythm, the second part is slower adding a beautiful trumpet, and developing further and further more with a correct build up, this is fantastic and has to be one of Sky Architect's best moments ever. The titled track continues the formula of catchy melodies and rhythms waiting to be shuffled, the middle part here is another classic, incorporating a beautiful piano melody that only getting bigger as it progresses, great sound! Dune has a very hypnotizing atmosphere with Tom Luchies mellow vocals, it's fun diving into this one, of course it doesn't end there, but shifts into a heavy outburst, man they are so good at this. Sandwalker is the lengthiest piece here, which again changes half way to something else and holds an excellent guitar solo by Wabe Wieringa. Into Singularity is another prime example of their creativity, I love the rhythm here, Chistiaan Bruin really shines on drums and may I say not only here but throughout the album, the two part piece really sums up the album nicely with a beautiful trumpet coda the ends the album.

Although Nomad is more accessible and isn't as eclectic as A Billion Years Of Solitude, I think its strengh lies exactly there, the material is focused and effective. Nomad proves that Sky Architect is one of the most consistent bands today, and after 4 albums under their belt they are in prime shape in every aspect, that's why I wouldn't have a problem recommending the album to newbies, but if you're looking for their best album I advise to go for their debut.

4 stars!

Back in 2017 I was getting for my year end picks and had many albums that I hadn't spent enough time with to offer a true opinion including this one. I spun it once and felt it wouldn't make my list and put it aside until recently. I'm not saying this would have made my list in hindsight but I am saying this music is complex and adventerous enough to require that some time be spent with it to get to know it.

I became a fan of this Dutch five piece with their debut "Excavations Of The Mind" but before I could pull the trigger on the followup "A Dying Man's Hymn" I was stopped in my tracks by a lot of negative reviews. I jumped back in on their next one "A Billion Years Of Solitude" but felt it wasn't quite a four star record.

"Nomad" from 2017 is a 4 star record like the debut in my world. I must admit being very surprised at the layers of sound and the complexity of the music. This is Prog my friends and a challenge at times. I also forgot how heavy they can get and while it all doesn't work I bow in admiration at what they have created here. While the vocals aren't the focus for the most part, even with them there is some very interesting vocal arrangements. Again I can't stress enough that this is an album that needs to be absorbed with many listens.

It ends in a very strong way with the two part "Into Singularity" including the closer which is trippy with a horn over top, so cool, while the first part at 8 1/2 minutes is my favourite on the album. I like the horn on the second part of "Endless Roads" as well. The opener "Wasteland" is fairly heavy at times and I swear I hear clavinet. The title track doesn't always work but again I applaud them for not taking the easy road here and making this difficult. Love the wind blowing on "Dune" makes me think of the art work. Some ripping guitar on "Sun Walker" and the opening electric piano is a treat. Some jerky moments on "Race To The Sun" and elsewhere I'm not into but this one impressed me and I'm pleasantly surprised.

I hope they come back for one more record.