BREATHING SPACE

A relatively new collective from Holland (they formed in Groningen in 2015 of veteran musicians) here releasing their second full-length studio album since 2017 (third including their 2016 EP, Desert Orchid). Their style of technically precise instrumental music is more Heavy Prog despite plenty of metal passages.

1. "Lunares" (15:48) impressively precise and coordinated heavy prog with many themes/motifs, time and dynamic shifts, employing a variety of musical styles that provoke some surprising emotional responses. My only problem with this song is that there are several AC/DC- and OZZIE-like sections that are absolutely begging for vocals. (26.5/30)

2. "Solitary March" (10:21) an acoustic guitar opening. (What else would one need/want in order to check off all the boxes for "progressive rock music"?) A nice plodding theme follows over which a single lead electric guitar plays a long solo of continuously sustained notes as the band beneath gradually builds in intensity to match the emotion of the solo. At 2:51 things come to a halt as the band adjusts for the next, more power-chord oriented driving theme. The Hammond beneath the two guitars and bass is noticeable. Mellotron choral voices join in at 4:51 while the theme continues and the twin guitars ramp up. Hammond finally comes to the fore for a flashy solo in the sixth minute but then is pushed aside by one of the electric guitars until 6:10 when the other guitar establishes a new melody riff before everything comes to a stop for a brief guitar picking bridge before everybody comes back over a steady bass and drum line with the twin guitars doing their THIN LIZZY thing, occasionally breaking ranks for individual solos. Interesting song even if nothing is very complex or innovative. (17.75/20)

3. "Foreshadow" (11:44) an interesting collage of somewhat familiar metal styles and themes rendered through a wide variety of (mostly traditionally-prog-related) instrumental inputs. My favorite motifs are the one that begins in the fifth minute and the melodic one that starts at the nine-minute mark with the lead guitar stepping to the fore. (17.5/20)

4. "Manticore" (12:06) again, a song with several familiar motifs. (Reminders of THIN LIZZY came up several times.) Very nice use of the twin lead guitars--and they are used a lot! Also, this song contains some of my favorite melodies on the album--especially in the middle sections and the excellent lead guitar solo of the ninth minute. The bass solo in the tenth minute is nice. And I like the slowed down passage penultimate to the finish. (22.5/25)

Total Time 49:59

The compositions could be a little more complex, thus further earning their inclusion beneath the prog umbrella, but more, they really could use some vocals. The four songs are all solid though very few risks were taken. Also, I wish the drums felt a little more present/forward in the mix so I could hear the nuances better.

B/four stars; an excellent addition to any prog lover's music collection--especially if you like variable instrumental Heavy Prog from highly proficient musicians.