BOUNDLESS ETERNITY, HEREAFTER TORMENT

Unique ... I must admit this is a somewhat offbeat matter, or what other term could be used for something you are not able to nonchalantly pigeonhole? Sounds specifically unusual in some way, just trying to describe that in the further course. But please don't expect too much, I mean, when somebody is really flabbergasted? Okay, one reason, maybe it's due to Rob Poston's singing voice, which surely needs getting used to. His expression is a tad lachrymose, very melancholic. Yep, this is exemplary for the term uniqueness those four musicians are offering, also to name Paul Samber (guitars, keys), Sam Higgins (bass) and Diane Galen (drums). Since 2021 they are established as a band, not completely hiding in the dark anyhow, or what? At least residing on different continents, that said United Kingdom and the States, as for the creative process predominantly corresponding and exchanging via internet. Hence, for example, so far there's not any authentic band photo available.

'Boundless Eternity, Hereafter Torment' is a concept album in four movements = tracks. Context-wise coming with a rather philosophical approach, it '... centers around the mind's tendency to focus in on moments or events of profound significance from one's past ...'. The album title is self-explanatory, or the track order, the other way round? Clever idea, or pretty easy solved? It's your choice. We have a bit of a Rush sentiment included here and there. But this is way too multi-layered in the end, to reduce this to a heavy progressive output solely. A driving rhythm fundament is surely provided. First of all anyway Boundless invites us to follow an easygoing electronic ambient path for some minutes, equipped with an atmosphere reminding me of Rain Tree Crow or some exclusive Richard Barbieri solo stuff a bit. Just in time they are switching to a rocking behaviour then.

The flow is gaining pace furthermore when turning into the polyrhythmic Eternity, engines are running in full load now, And there's a bit of a jamming appeal to remark. The following Hereafter turns out to be a wonderful space jazz excursion, featuring acoustic guitar and some well appointed trumpet support by Adam Heaton. The second half with its distorted speech samples always drives me crazy. Man, this sounds just like arriving from the outer world, from very far away at least. A remarkable guitar mantra is initiating the last track Torment with a slight krautrock flair due to the hypnotic flow. For the sake of variety though it evolves into a metal riffing heavier episode and so on ... and so on. A multi-varianted and expressive finale for sure. It only remains for me to add that Paul Samber is the main songwriter on this occasion. Chapeau! The sophomore record is already in the making, I'm curiously waiting.