FROM ANCIENT TIMES

Ainur's debut has rapidly reached a cult status between many prog lovers. This new italian band has had the idea of recording and releasing a whole work inspired by "The Silmarillion" by J. R. R. Tolkien. After having analized the music I cannot say this is prog in the true sense. Apparently the album isn't too complex and is based upon, mainly, a melodic new-ageish flavour sometimes tinged with serious prog parts as in the sixth track "The Fall of Nargothrond" (4,43 mns). This one could be easily one of the most favourite recent track I've listened to in the last year. Excellent hard electric guitar work accompained with exciting synthesizer's excursions that reminds a little bit of the classic itralian prog band Biglietto per l'Inferno.

The album's lyrics are in english language, sung with some (obvious) italian accent. An important thing to remark is the vocal richness: five singers, three female, two male (one is a bass-baritone). In a similar vein to what contemporary important italian prog band Randone has already made within their 2005 big opus "Hybla Act 1". The listening is very pleasant due also to the fact that the band is composed by 18 membersproviding instruments like harp, horns, flute, clarinet, cello, viola, violin.

Another exciting track is the long "The Fall of Gondolin" (10,31 mns) which is builded on varied arrangements. From soft folky introduction to a hard-prog experience from the fifth minute on. Excellent guitars and synth again. Great track. In a similar vein is also the tenth song "Wall of Wrath" (8,59 mns) with a quasi medieval touch.

Generally speaking the album reminds me of a fantasy-like concept album from the seventies released with the contribution of many artists: Mandalaband's Eye of Wendor (1978). The same "commercial" feelings, the same serious proggy tendencies and the evocative musical horizons. In that case it was the mellotron of Woolly Wolstenholme to give the prog flavour. In From Ancient Times, hammond, moog, synthesizer and piano, even if not played massively, provide, at least, three wonderful tracks and evocative atmosphere!

Well done, Ainur. I hope to listen more from you.