FLEKTOGON

NODO GORDIANO is an Italian act that was formed in 1994, originally as a cover band performing songs penned by King Crimson, Genesis and various popular rock tunes played on the radio. They soon started making their own music though, and in 1999 their debut album was issued. Come 2009 and the band has basically been reduced to a duo, enlisting guest musicians when needed. Probably not as active as a live unit these days, but they still continue to record it though - as documented on Flektogon, their third studio effort.

On this venture we're served close to an hours worth of eclectic and quirky music, with hardly any stylistic expressions dominating the proceedings. The band does like to revisit certain themes though, but as the sound and timbre of the various segments explored throughout this album is about as different as the total number of these this is more of a structural than musical similarity.

Opening number Theatro di Memoria opens with a sacral mixed choir theme, and continues with a mellow melodic theme as foundation for female operatic vocals - with a dark, heavy instrumental theme wedged in between the vocal passages. The first of the Ozymandias tracks follows, a percussion-dominated effort that starts and ends with strong melodic themes with a chaotic mid-section. The following composition, Avventure di Mastarna, is the central work on this production. Just over 30 minutes long, this quirky, shifting psychedelic tinged number visits a number of stylistic expressions on it's journey, from driving space-tinged passages to calmer symphonic-tinged sequences. Subtle dissonances and disharmonies, energetic heavy moods and beautiful harmonic themes all find their place in this piece - a rewarding number for most people with an interest in challenging musical efforts.

The second chapter in the Ozymandia saga follows, this time a drum-dominated effort, while Crimsonheads gets a nod or three in their direction in the dark, bleak, quirky and slightly repetitive closing number Zeitgeist.

Flektogon isn't a creation that will hold a universal appeal by any means, but for those with a liking for adventurous, mostly instrumental and challenging art rock from the darker side of that universe, this CD may be a strong contender for album of the year for 2009.