OMPHALOS

As far as the female vocalist is concerned, I will make the same comments than for their previous album: she is too theatrical and opera-oriented to my taste. This has a serious influence about the way I perceive this album ("Ra").

As long as the band plays its impeccable music (some mix between Symphonic and Eclectic), it is above average; especially during the excellent ..."Excellent Meat". A piece with strong KC links: fully instrumental, heavier and oppressive. My fave out here.

The "pièce de résistance" is the long "Pentacle's Suite". The band has used us with such long numbers already (over half an hour). Not always on the good side though. There is no need to express my opinion in a thousand words: this suite is a nice combination between classical passages (with fine fluting and piano), darker moments and "drama" vocals. In all, a good epic, but no jewel for sure.

I won't be original about the last two tracks (because they aren't either). Same stuff. At this stage it is too much for my ears. Almost seventy minutes of monotonous music, well performed for sure. But still monotonous.

Three stars.