VERSUS WITHOUT VERSUS - END PART

Dice is a german band with a very long story and quite a big discography. Only recently I found out about this group and Versus is my first entry into their sound. Their music is very hard to define. It is at the same time quite familiar and yet original. Pehaps I should have asked KennethLevine for counseling? Well, it is obvious that they are influenced by the 70´s space rock german craze. But there is a lot more into it. There is a retro, symphonic feeling, doubtless helped by the extensive use of mellotron and other vintage sounding instruments. On the other hand, the production and recording techniques are very modern, with all the instrumentation and vocals very well balanced and clean. The result is an excellent exemple of good prog that mixes very well the old and the new.

I must say it didn´t grab me at first. The opener, Who Inflames The Universe Tonight? and the second track When The Darkness Comes took a long time to sink in. And still I don´t think they are the best ones in this CD. They are very good, ok, but there are better things on the record. However, from the third track on everything just clicks! The highlight of the album is the long and excellent 23 minute epic Hold The Spirit: an amazing roller coaster of great melodies, shifting rhythms and moods, terrific solos and perfect arranged instrumentation that gives you the impression that this tune is quite short, really. Secret Sun is another fine example of this group greatness, specially the second part.

All the musicians are very good. I found Jens Lubeck´s sax playing is a bit cliche, but his flute is just amazingly beautiful. Thre are few guitar solos but in general I liked the guitar work on this album a lot. Leader and vocalist Christian Nove handles all the bass and keyboards duties this time and he does a very good job on them. His voice is not one of the greatest on earth, but his emotional interpretation is quite strong and convincing. It fits well into this kind of music I guess.

Conclusion: it took me quite some time to fully digest and enjoy this album, but it was worth it. it also made me curious about their previous (and latter) releases. if you like space rock with good melodies and excellent modern production then you should not miss this one. A very interesting band indeed! 4 stars.