THE QUIET REBELLION OF COMPROMISE

Yet another band from Norway churning out quality prog--this more of the atmospheric Goth metal like FIELDS Of THE NEPHILIM, though not quite as heavy, despite the mental health topics (including suicide) permeating all songs on the album.

1. "Highest Tower, Deepest Well" (5:58) the ehavy Norwegian folk vibe is very present in this--not unlike the stylings of Ivar Bjørnsen and Einar Selvik though not using anachronistic folk instruments. (8.75/10)

2. "Quiet Rebellion" (4:51) Again the folk metal strains in the foundational sounds and instruments here are too big to ignore, yet the music never ramps up into full metal expression, always remains melodic and atmospheric. A very nicely constructed and restrained song. (9/10)

3. "Dreamless Sleep" (5:37) a hypnotic vocal, rhythm track, steeped in atmospheric synth washes almost lulls one into submission before Simen's treated vocal ramps up for the chorus. A little bit of Mark Hollis in Simen's voice here. Interesting. I like presence of the uncredited saxophone just before the second chorus. (8.75/10)

4. "Sunday 8 AM" (5:55) SYLVAN Posthumous Silence-like in its palette--and power. I LOVE the brilliant use of space and pace over the course of the subtly-piano-based song. The second half conjures up a lot of KEVIN MOORE's CHROMA KEY stuff from 20 years ago. Again: Why aren't the saxophones credited? A definite top three song for me. (9.5/10)

5. "Demagogue Communion" (6:16) the harshest song on the album--but almost in a BROTHER APE or PORCUPINE TREE kind of way: very melodic chord structure and nice spacious and soft sections in which Simen's singing verses (which are very BRUCE COCKBURN like) fill. Some very compelling earworms. A great song--another top three song. (9.75/10)

6. "Paperwings" (13:52) long and rather boring music despite the compelling story/lyrics. Definitely not my favorite prog epic of the year. (24.5/30)

7. "Guest of Honour" (7:03) same drum beat/pattern as the previous song. Nice, sensitive vocal from Simen using nice chordal and melodic patterns. A song that sounds as if it comes from another album--far less proggy than balladic. My final top three song. (13.25/15)

Total Time 49:32

I am a sucker for this kind of Viking Goth music. The musical landscapes are often a bit unusual--almost seeming "poorly engineered" but I think the slightly off-kilter, unsettling effect is intentional.

B+/4.5 stars; a near-masterpiece of dark atmospheric folk metal (I guess) with some absolutely killer songs--a find for any prog lover's music collection.