SHAMBLEMATHS

When it comes to eclectic, some artists are simply more talented than others in taking myriad disparate elements of multiple musical disciplines and casting them into a cauldron which results in a ridiculously satisfying product. Well, Norwegian SHAMBLEMATHS is definitely one of those artists that succeeds in crafting a mix of a influential progressive rock into their magic blender and pours out one delicious modern day smoothie that remains respectful to the past while blazing new trails into the future.

Formed in Trondheim, this artist is basically the duo of Simen Å. Elliingsen (guitars, saxophones, vocals) and Eirik M. Husum (bass) who started out under the rather hilarious moniker Fallen Fowl but alas all good fowls must fall in in the aftermath more ambitious projects ensue. One of the more intelligent acts out there these days, it comes as no shock that Elliingsen holds two PHDs, one in quantum physics and another in political science. Add to that, a brilliant mind for juxtaposing and melding musical elements as deftly as engaging in fluid mechanics, SHAMBLEMATHS has become one of prog's most brave and bold of the new wave of 21st century prog.

While this duo has roughly been around since 2005 or so, as a unit didn't release its first self-titled debut until 2016 but it only takes a single listen to hear that perhaps these guys were spending all that time forging their little musical maestrohood into a fully fueled prog behemoth complete with two prog sprawlers, the opening 27-minute "Conglomeration" and the closing 20-minute "Stalker." That means indeed that the mere 9 1/2 middle-piece "A Falling Ember" feels like a little a mere blip in the scheme of it all. In the wake of this 56-minute debut experience, it comes as a breath of fresh air that there are still prog acts that can build upon the past and fearlessly sally forth into the future!

The opening "Conglomeration" aka "The Grand Pathetic Suite" meanders through 10 different distinct parts having mined the past with influences from all the prog greats ranging from Egg, Gong, Magma, Univers Zero, Genesis, Yes, well?. you name it! You get the whole enchilada on this one. Crazy bubbling zeuhl unearthliness, symphonic prog pastoral moments, avant-prog irreverence, heavy metal guitar blasts, down-home folky moments, crazy King Crimson style workouts. These two guys along with the eight guest musicians and vocalists conjure up a storm of prog fury on this one! Considering Elliingsen's PHD in political science focuses on terrorism and nuclear weapons, somehow i feel he's channeled the crazed minds of the world for inspiration since this opener is a brutal tour-de-force with one unapologetic transition after another!

"A Falling Ember" is the lil shorty sandwiched between the monstrosities that bookend this massive mind-blowing prog experience. While beginning with some excellent folky guitar work bordering on flamenco, the intricate passages ultimately climax in raucous guitar rock heft laced with one bombastic time signature escapade after another thus taking one from lush pastoral placidly to brutal prog banter and back. Another excellent series of seamless transitions, production magic, unexpected accoutrements and vocal dynamics. By this time if you're not all hot and bothered then something is SERIOUSLY wrong with you! Resuscitate yourself for gawd's sake! :D

The closing "Stalker" opens with a little bit of la-la-la-ing along with some acoustic splendor before jumping into a more energetic jazzy fueled guitar and bass groove stomper but things change quicker as piano rolls pop in and 6 individual suites unfold into another aural presentation of prog paradise. This one is more of a slow burner than the opener with less of an everything-but-the-kitchen-sink approach. Instead this one features recurring themes such as the bass dominant groove that offers guitar and saxophone tradeoffs. Featuring a much more chilled vibe that periodically bursts into rock upheaval, "Stalker" delivers some magical moments but also offers a few stagnant parts as well. Not bad but not as exciting as the two preceding tracks.

Overall this is an exciting and ambitious debut from SHAMBLEMATHS which is another huge score for Norway which seems to have more than its fair share of talent lurking within its mere 5 million inhabitants! While the closing "Stalker" is somewhat of a let down after the excellent two tracks that seem divinely sent, the album as a whole is a magnificent slice of intelligently designed prog that will thrill not only thrill seekers but also those who insist on melodies and harmonies existing as major players in the music magic. The duo of Elliingsen and Husum proves to be a major powerhouse in crafting wild and crazy prog that effortlessly mixes zeuhl with avant-prog, jazz-rock with heavy prog, pastoral folk and symphonic prog. This is indeed a feast of high quality eclectic prog only kept from perfection from some of the stilted and lagging moments on the final cut. If this album doesn't make you an instant fan then you are not a prog lover!