THE LIGHT BEYOND THE SHADES

SPLEEN ARCANA is the creative vehicle of French composer and musician Julien Gaullier. Over the years this self-taught artist has written and recorded a great deal of material for his own pleasure. Some years ago he decided to make a concentrated effort with a full-length album as the goal, and the end result was released in 2009 as "The Field Where She Died". This process apparently was regarded as a fruitful one, as Gaullier returned using the Spleen Arcana moniker in 2014 with his second album "The Light Beyond the Shades". As with his first production, the album was self-released.

"The Light Beyond the Sahdes" is a strong follow-up album by Spleen Arcana, and those who generally find themselves intrigued by vintage-oriented symphonic progressive rock, explored in a careful, dream-laden manner, should find this production to be rather interesting indeed. I'd suspect those who enjoy the mellower material by Camel to be a key audience for this album, and my recommendation will then primarily go towards those who feel they fit within that description. Those with a soft spot for the Mellotron might also want to give this one a spin.