AGAPANTHUSTERRA

It's clear that the main reference for this band is OZRICTENTACLES, and this is mainly because of two things: all the songs are instrumental (execept for some vocoder) and the very "clean" production that makes this band sound quite similar, but I think that there are also important differences which likely come from different musical experiences of the band's members.

The album opener, "T.N.S.F.P.", is based on a keyboard sequence that can remind to the Tangerine Dream of the 80s, but it also has a flute which provides a touch of Canterbury and the already mentioned vocoder. All those things together are not too far from the Pink Floyd of the post-Waters period. Another band which comes to my mind is the Dutch "35007". Those are the impressions from the first track.

When "Lantanasch" comes, I can't not think to be listening to the Ozrics of Waterfall Cities, but what makes the difference is again the flute both in the uptime and in the quiet parts. It's interesting the fact that in the uptimes it sounds almost "classic prog" while in the quiet the effect is even "celtic". Apart of the flute, this band seems to have many connections with the old times. After the "celtic" moment there's a part with a tempo reminding of Genesis or neo- prog and the "liquid" final of the track is very close to Tangerine Dream.

"Spiral Flame" is based on minor chords and this makes it sound a little darker. However, in this kind of electronics I can hear reminders to the late 70s/early 80s like Jarre, Alan Parsons and Camel. The reggae part is very 80s as well. Does anybody remember the final of David Gilmour's "Cruise"? Or the Wishbone Ash of Pilgrimage?

The title track, whatever the title means, makes a huge use of vocoder. It has a mini-suite structure, with many different themes coming and going and touching a lot of genres. The more I listen to this band the more I'm sure that they have their roots in the classic prog. They are not sticking on classics only, anyway. This track shows some influences of Porcupine Tree as well.

"Wintershades" confirms the link with PT but with a touch of Pink Floyd, too, as it's a more bluesy track and the keyboardist seems to walk on Rick Wright's steps of the Pompeii time. A great track this one.

"Trip Escape" has an intriguing title, isn't it? The bass still plays "reggae" and so has to do the drummer. The keyboard soundscape is close to Tangerine Dream so what comes out iresults in a contrast or a fusion. It's another very good track. The only thing that I would have liked different is the guitar: the production puts it in background even when is leading and the sounds used are too clean and similar to the keyboard and this makes it a bit flat.

"Wais Dame Dilamp" has a middle Eastern flavor. Camel's debut and again the Wright of Pompeii mixed in an electronic format. This is where the link with 35007 and Ozric Tentacles is stronger.

Gilmour's Floyds seem to inspire the following track: "Chase The Dragon", at least before the bass goes again in a "rub-a-dub" style. as it happens with the guitar, there's an excellent flute that it's kept in the background. I think what the production wanted was the fusion of all the instruments without peaks or solos. The music has to sound "liquid" even when the guitar becomes distorted. The second half of the track is a sort of electronic metal, and also in this they are similar to 35007 that more than Ozric Tentacles is the band that I feel more similar to them, even geographycally. This crescendo is a great way to close an instrumental album.

So I like the band, I like the whole album and I strongly suggest it to people who likes any of the bands that I have mentioned, but it's still non-essential. More stars will come with the next albums.