ALLOMERUS

A duo from Melbourne, Australia, that decided to produce its own music in 2012.Allomerus consist of John Wegner on guitar/synthesizers/bass/vocals and Paul Wegner on drums/percussion, while they also use a variety of sampled instruments and sound effects in their music.Their self-titled debut album was digitally released in July 2012 via bandcamp.

Allomerus is a talented duo.They just seem not very keen on creating striking and well-crafted compositions, while the mass of different styles met in their debut does not make it very consistent either.Technically they are very competent with some impressive guitar workouts along the KING CRIMSON path and interesting keyboard passages, somehat close to the sound of STEAM THEORY or RESISTOR.There are long instrumental textures with the electric guitars in evidence and featuring some sudden breaks and powerful grooves, but the problem comes from the unrelated styles chosen.A Psychedelic Rock ballad is followed by an edgy Heavy Prog piece, the longer track of the album ''Air conditioned cages'' blends 70's Psych/Symphonic Rock with decent keyboards with calm New Age and naughty Horn Rock, led by trumpets, that as a whole sound much less than conveincing, while the vocals of John Wegner are a matter of taste as well, sounding to me rather souless, without any particular color.The biggest surprise though comes from the closing ''It is coming'', showing the duo in its full potential.Dark and dramatic instrumental Prog with doomy electric guitars, angular Electronics with a touch of Mellotron and excellent electrified moves after the middle that lead to another haunting and memorable closing rhythmic part.

I guess this duo should maintain the styles met in the opening and closing tracks.Modern Prog with KING CRIMSON vibes and heavy, instrumental textures.The rest of the album is inconsistent, a bit uninspired and rather untight, though the technical level leaves some great promises.Not exactly recommended, this should be a decent addition for fans of diverse Progressive Rock, but note that the compositions are rather average...2.5 stars.