EPILOG

"Hybris" is one tough act to follow. I have to give the band credit for not just doing a "Hybris II" although I wouldn't have been complaining if they did. The vocals are gone on this one. I for one liked them, just like I enjoy ANEKDOTEN and WOBBLER's vocals. They suit the music. "Epilog" is much more pastoral than the debut with a lot of dreamy, laid back sections. That made it harder for me to get into but the advantage of all the mellow sections is how powerful this sounds when they let it rip. I have to also say that the sound quality of this recording is pretty much perfect, crystal clear.

"Prolog" is pastoral to start with organ but it turns much fuller after a minute. Some violin too. "Hostsejd" opens with organ, mellotron and drums as the sound rises and falls. How good does this sound when they kick in. We get a steady sound before 1 1/2 minutes with some nice chunky bass. The mellotron then storms the soundscape. A calm follows before they start kicking it hard after 3 minutes. It settles before 5 1/2 minutes then the mellotron rolls in a minute later. It kicks in again after 10 minutes with mellotron. This sounds so good. Guitar makes an appearance then it settles with piano after 11 minutes. It's building before 14 minutes. What an incredible way to end this epic.

"Skogsranden" opens with laid back piano, then flute and violin join in. Piano only takes over again, then flute before it kicks in with power before 3 minutes. Killer sound ! Check out the guitar after 4 1/2 minutes. Mellotron follows then it settles. Female vocal melodies cry out of the atmosphere 6 1/2 minutes in. Acoustic guitar and flute follow. Beautiful. Mellotron after 9 minutes then it kicks back in. My God ! More great mellotron too. "Somrar" has a pastoral intro. Violin, organ and mellotron follow then it settles back again before exploding in after 4 minutes. The mellotron is so majestic 6 minutes in. Then we get a calm before it kicks back in before 7 minutes. Amazing sound here. It settles before 10 minutes then the flute comes in. It's fuller 11 1/2 minutes in with drums leading. A calm a minute later to end it. "Saknadens Fullhet" is a short laid back track filled with piano melodies.

I still prefer "Hybris" but man this just blows me away. It's 1A verses 1B.