I think this is a whole other beast actually, originally part of the Number Seven sequel that was expanded into an album length track. That third part has yet to come.

 

I'm looking forward to it, nonetheless, Windhawk's review makes me hungry!

It appears not. 

 

 

Great news Phideaux . Is the vinyl version going to be available at the same time as the CD version?

Congrats on your guys' first LP!

Avatar is Gabrielle Drake from UFO - gorgeous

 

and thanks...

You can rest assured that I will continue to buy everything you put out. 

But about the reviews and ratings I do not feel comfortable at all.  Giving it a weird 1 star review just to make it fall downwards in the 'top albums of all time' list is childish. The opposite is the same, why would I give a 5 star review just to make it on the top .

I hope people will start to consider the value of this album in terms of progressive rock itself. Comparing it with ITCOTCK or something else is not healthy at all. Our feelings about the album are sadly distracted by an artificial ranking.  

Listening to it now again. I really love those lyrics, so important to me always.

 

Part of my review of the first track...

 

The lyrics are powerful and moving on Part One, with vocals interjecting over the music immediately; "star of light, see what you gave cheated away the core, dark night edge of a blade, as we tap the grave of wax figurines, ice melts upsets the sea, submit follow me, walk with me now in the sunlight, daylight down with the night, invincible light are you back with us now, source of all reason, I come alive finally I cry and it's me I have arrived...." This could be about a protagonist who is searching for an answer to the chaos in life, the despair that he feels is due to the disappointments that have plagued him but around the corner is the light at the end of the darkness, things will get better. It is open to interpretation.

 

Then the time sig changes with the strong synth melody is excellent ... nice keyboard swells too. I really love this first track. The lyrics continue to disperse mystical imagery and enchanting words weave a spell of compelling words; "Are you dusty, my figurehead friends, what’s it feel like to come to the end..." The protagonist is questioning his existence, people are like wax figures to him, no soul and no emotion, the disillusion of life's tragedies has emptied the man of emotion and filled him with regret. 

 

The flute section feels happier but there is an ominous lead guitar threatening to dominate and swallow the peaceful feelings. The flute dances merrily along with cloudbursts of drums and chiming synths. A minimalist piano brings the mood down till the female vocals come in with enchanting lyrics "I need you to know you will die." The male answers "I know what you need"  but the lady sings that she promises she will "purge wll the words left inside". The mood becomes intense but then the tension is released with the lonely piano and bright synths. Both male and female vocals harmonise that they are entwined. The song changes feel then with a very pronounced piano forte passage. It is joined by ambient passages of synths and a tirade of fast tempo hi hat cymbals and low buzzing synths. The piano section is reminiscent of classic Emerson, and a delightful keyboard break to enhance the mood.

When the violins and woodwind section blazes away the song has completely become a majestic work of art. The lengthy instrumental is incredibly progressive and there is even an indelible saxophone that blasts out benign notes.

The opening track is ineffaceable masterful prog at its best, multi instrumental and very provocative, moving in textural shades of many moods and making an impact on the listener due to the virtuoso playing and reflective lyrics.

 

OK I am going back to the album now.

I remember reading that review suggesting the Depeche Mode similarity, and I honestly don´t hear it. There have been a lot of references to Jethro Tull, Van Der Graff, Punk Flute and the likes and I can see where one would get such impressions in listening to your music, but first and foremost I believe you have achieved something very difficult, in sounding completely like Phideaux - which sounds rather ridiculous, but I am never in any doubt to whom I´m listening to whenever one of your songs is playing, and that is rare. I think it´s the combination of the layered vocals - your songwriting and the way you play the piano. I don´t think I´ve heard anything quite similar.

I´ve listened to the stream of Snowtorch a couple of times - and I must admit, that I think you´ve done it again. Sounds like a combination of 7 and Doom - without ever ripping any of them off. 

P.S. I love the fact that some of the aspects of 7 - like Gift of the Flame and the whole feel of it - sort of develops on Snowtorch, well at least from what I´ve heard so far. Just beautiful stuff!

 

I certainly understand that that list is very much temporary, but it was 31 yesterday, and 6 spots in a day is rather impressive! And I've given the album a few listens- I doubt the rating will drop very far, even with nay-sayers.

 

He's just a troll 

One thing I notice with the last three releases by Phideaux, is the addictive nature of these albums for me. I can't seem to get enough of it; one listen isn't enough and it warrants another and another... It was the same for Doomsday Afternoon and Number Seven and it's repeating itself with Snowtorch. This is music I just want to keep on listening to constantly. Another wonderful achievement (to my ears at least). I've already posted about the new album in my blog (pretty much just to spread the word of the original message by Phideaux about the album being on Bandcamp), but I'll do a proper post dedicated to it later on as well (like I do with other albums).

 

 

wheres the best place to hear it? the official web page?

 

I love this album, and I personally think it's among the best albums I've ever heard! I love it so much that I even recommended it on my bandcamp, along with "Doomsday Afternoon". I'll write a review here on PA of it soon, just need to get done with some english assignments first...

I like "Snowtorch". I listened to it 3 times in last 3 days and it progress in my mind after each of listenings. I think this album is the proggest Phideaux album. Snowtorch can categorize as Eclectic album (IMO) but I cant found the atmospher of "Doomsday Afternoon" and "Number 7" in it . I mean "Snowtorch" impress me by different way. In this time I like "Doomsday...." and "Number 7" more than "Snowtorch" but I dont know what happen after more listening. Thanks.

I will, however, hold fire on the review until a few more listens, because I do find that a rushed review is generally a bad review.

Somehow, though, I seriously doubt very much that my initial opinion will be changed that much.

Thanks for sending the link Phideaux - I really am most grateful

 

Snowtorch is good, a wonderful tribute to prog. But something that made Doomsday approach masterpiece level isn't here for me. I went back to listen to Doomsday again and immediately knew. I've listened to Snowtorch 10-12 times, and it still will almost certainly be on my year end list.

 

still very good.

Imo Number 7 is every bit as good as Doomsday and Snowtorch. All masterpieces in my book; you definitely need to hear it if you liked the other two.