INSIDE THE CABLE TEMPLE

The Americas and Europe are kind of the big stars in the whole prog camp. I mean, with acts like King Crimson or Kansas it is pretty easy to see why, but I think stuff over in Asia, particularly Eastern Asia should get some fair amount, or even equal love too. Obviously Japan is the most popular Asian country that specializes in prog, with groups like Sigh, Koenjihyakkei, Ruins, and Far East Family Band giving the world some tasty prog. Aside from Japan though, you really do not hear many prog groups from places like Korea, or Mongolia. In fact, a lot of Asian countries in general do not quite have a lot of huge prog namesakes, unlike Japan, America, and Europe, which is honestly disappointing to hear, because prog over in Asia sounds fantastic, at least from the stuff I have heard so far. However, I think eventually those bands over across the pacific will get their due, as shown from the promisingly rated Omnipotent Youth Society's Inside The Cable Temple.

Omnipotent Youth Society, or OYS is a Chinese contemporary prog band that formed in 1996 in Shijiazhuang, led by Dong Yaqian. The band would release their first single in 2006, but wouldn't release their first full length album until 2010, where they made their self titled record. While over in the west their LP flew over people's heads, in China it became a smash hit, with the band winning 'band of the year' in China's Music Media Awards. 10 years later they would release another smash hit in the form of Inside The Cable Temple, which, while not winning them a 'band of the year' status, did win them huge amounts of recognition, which culminated in being the musical representation of the Dongbei renaissance, and a grant of recognition, particularly to their bassist Ji Geng.

All this too say, they've also become quite popular over in the west recently, at least to some extent. In RYM, this album places #21 for 2020, which, while not particularly super high, is quite great, especially next to highly rated albums like Anthem Of The Dead, The Normal Album, and Lianne La Havas. To be frank here, I believe this album should get all the credit it deserves, because it really is a great tour de force.

First off, I am quite amazed by the vibrancy of this record. Like, wow, they really put out a sound that really is THEM. The music has a chamber jazzy folk sound, kinda like iamthemorning's Lighthouse, but with a more rock output, and a vibe that reminds me particularly of King Crimson's Islands. That's probably the best way to describe their sound, and even then they really craft things into their own foot works. From the second track alone, 泥河 (Ni He), I get swept off my feet with seriously amazing prog rock. Each song, not accounting for the two 1 minute tracks, are just extremely good, and overtime, with each listen, I find myself not knowing which track is their best on here. Sometimes I think it is 河北墨麒麟 (He Bei Mo Qi Lin), and other times it feels like I might prefer 采石 (Cai Shi). Each song has their own flavors, but still keeps up with that brilliantly executed sound that gets me rolling.

I think each player here has some level of magic in their musical output. Dong Yaquin's vocals and acoustic are extremely good, with an almost Greg Lake-like falsetto and progression to his singing and playing styles. Ji Geng's bass, as well as Shit Lee's trumpet & flute, Feng Jiang's drums, and Sule's guitar skills are also all very great, and they honestly hold a strong knack to my ears, crafting these wonderful soundscapes.

Now, I would mention stuff relating to the album's concepts, however I do not know Chinese, in fact I do not know any Asian languages, but from what I could gather from this album's wiki page, it is about the mountains that surround the band's home city, the Taihang Mountains, and the results of heavy amounts of pollution within the area. It's funny how this is the third album I have reviewed that is based on mountains, first Sorni Nai, then Alturas de Machu Pichu, and now this. Guess something about concept records about mountains really gets my gears rolling. Discretions aside, and comprehension aside, I can tell from Yaquin's singing that the lyrics are a treat to behold, and I can see why a lot of people in China ranked this record very highly due to such a poignant concept.

Again, my favorite track on this record changes a lot, but right now I think it's 河北墨麒麟 (He Bei Mo Qi Lin). The track goes through a series of brilliantly executed stylings, some of which give off energies from more Crimson- esque math rock and fusiony jazz rock, but again, presented in a way that is very distinctly OYS. I absolutely love the ending of this song too, just how it builds up into a wall of chaos and noise, almost like the mountains this record is based on are crumbling down, with the band giving them a final eulogy in the form of an 11 minute express. It works extremely well to me, and in tandem with the final track of 郊眠寺 (Jiao Mian Si), creates for a stunning climax and eulogy for this mountain of a record.

I think this record fills a similar niche that albums like Dark Side Of The Moon, Mew And The Glass Handed Kites, and Night fill, being this one long track split into multiple, extraordinary songs. I am honestly surprised this album isn't as popular within the prog crowd, it's really good! I really do recommend this one, it holds some of the best Eastern Asian prog you can ask for, and it's a great treat for those who adore acts like Islands era King Crimson, iamthemorning, and Phideaux. Can't wait to see what they make next in another 10 years. I will be patient.