BELIEF AND ILLUSION

US band BOX OF SHAMANS is, from what I understand, the creative vehicle of multi-instrumentalist Michael Matier and vocalist Scott Jones. This venture started out in 2012 and can in many ways be regarded as a side project of the US band Heliopolis, where all three are members. "Belief and Illusion" is their debut album, released by 10t Records in 2015.

Box Of Shamans does bring quite a lot to the table on their debut album, but when stripping away all effects, all illusions, and cutting down to the bare bones of the material what we have here is founded on vintage era progressive rock. A rather quirky and challenging version of it at times, but still within that context, and arguably inside a symphonic-oriented variety of the style at that. This is fare more challenging than outright and straightforward compelling however, and taking that into consideration I'd suggest that rather liberal minded fans of Yes, unsurprisingly I guess, come across as something of a key audience for me. I will add though, that a certain affection for material with a slight avant-garde attitude probably won't be a disadvantage when getting to know this album.