OBLIVION DAYS

Rocket Scientists

Symphonic Prog

3.88 | 93 ratings

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SouthSideoftheSky
Special Collaborator
Symphonic Team

Archimedes

Oblivion Days is Rocket Scientists' third studio album hailed by many as their best. I agree that in some respects it is superior to the previous two, but in other respects the opposite holds true. Erik Norlander's keyboard playing is once again magnificent and the several drummers and bass players also do a great job in providing a powerful rhythm section. Lead guitar is also delivered by multiple people this time including Ayreon's Arjen Lucassen and Lana Lane's Neil Citron. Lana Lane herself provides some backing vocals on a few tracks.

Even though the band's sound became heavier with this album, there is once again a strong Pop flavour. This Psychedelic Beatles/Pink Floyd influence does not always sit comfortably with the keyboard-driven Symphonic Prog elements drawing on Rick Wakeman/Keith Emerson. In addition, there is this time around an attempt to sound more contemporary which I don't like. All of these diverse elements create an interesting and dare I say unique mix that occasionally works really well. But at other times less so, I think.

But the most important factor is the quality of the material. Out of the vocal numbers, the title track stands out. Break The Silence is a good track as well on which the guitar sound reminds of that of King Crimson's Robert Fripp. But there is nothing on this album to compare with the tasteful grandeur of the excellent Mariner from the previous album. The instrumentals are the best here including parts three and four of Dark Water opening and closing the album respectively. And once again there is an instrumental named after a famous scientist in Archimedes.

Another good album from Rocket Scientists, but I think they peaked with the previous Brutal Architecture and the live album that followed it, called Earth Below And Sky Above.

SouthSideoftheSky | 3/5 | 2012-6-11

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