SPLENDOR SOLIS

I got this album shortly after being blown away by 'The Edges of Twilight' and initially I was a bit disappointed, the songs are more intimate and melancholic and probably less immediate. Whatever the reason, it's turned out to be a pleasure experience revisiting the album and to discover and enjoy the fine musicianship and honest emotion that smoulders underneath.

If you've already read one single review about this band then you will probably have read that this band found themselves a spot in between the Doors and Led Zeppelin, and in fact, I find no better way to describe them neither, whether they like that themselves or not. The music largely reminds of Led Zeppelin, with huge pounding drums, folksy acoustic guitars, soaring electric ones, influences from Middle-Eastern music, a sound like a house, and so on. Add the emotion of Jim Morrison to that and you got an idea of what these guys sound like. Luckily, their songs are never derivative, at least, I don't find any moment hear that makes me want to stand up and shout plagiarism!

I was initially a bit underwhelmed by this album, but time has proven me wrong. This is a strong collection of psychedelic/blues/rock songs that should please fans of 70s heavy rock and heavy prog. Recommended.