NIGHTSPIRIT (AS TEMPLE OF THE STARS)

TEMPLE OF THE STARS appears to be the replacement for THOBY LOTH in the life of leader, songwriter, and multi- instrumentalist TOBIAS TAG, very much along the lines of the previous group - vaguely Celtic sounding heavy folk rock - but with Tag's uneasy "I'm about to but never quite lose it" vocals, which double up on the intensity. "Nightspirit" is the first offering, with Tag accompanied by a bass player, and another release awaits in hiding until backers can be found. That one involves more of a band, but Tobias is now preoccupied with raising a family so, well, you know....

Following a couple of years after his brilliant solo EP, "Green Shadow", "Nightspirit" adds back in some of the flutes and whistles which were absent but not needed, but unfortunately that short release's strength is this longer work's weaknesses, for virtually every track has not only the same tempo but even the same meter in the vocal structure. What worked brilliantly in an intense 13 minutes becomes frustratingly samey over 42 minutes. Each song is like more authentic, bleak, and crepuscular BLACKMORE'S NIGHT, without his unnecessary "remember who I am" solos, but the whole is somehow less impactful than any 2 or 3 tracks would be if chosen at random and presented as the complete work. To be clear, every piece is excellent, and I like "Mist of Morning" and, partly for their extended nature and string synth blissfulness, the last 2 tracks best.

After this, Tag went on to do a few symphonic singles and a soundtrack, and may perhaps focus more on these in the future. Recommended to sprinkle in with your favourite playlists but in measured doses, nightspirit willing.