A PROFOUND PATH

Five years have passed since BLANK MANUSKRIPT released the epic Tales from an Island - Impressions from Rapa Nui, and I was starting to think that this excellent Austrian band had vanished, but about a month ago, I received a PM from my good friend Alfons Wohlmuth (bass, flute and Vocals), telling me they had released a new EP, sadly I had some personal issues to solve and wasn't able to review A Profound Path, so a couple days ago listened it for the first time and I regret haven't done it before, because the album is radically different to their debut, but still extraordinaire.

My first surprise was to find that two members had left the band and been replaced by Cecilio Perera Villanueva (Guitar) and Klaus Ackermann (Percussion), but the greatest impression was to find that they have left their pompous Symphonic roots for a more varied sound, with PINK FLOYD influences and a hint of Jazz, a change that I found refreshing, because when you release a great debut, you need to evolve to avoid unpleasant comparisons, and they did a great job in previously uncharted territory.

The album is opened by The Underglow and it's mysterious bass intro that leads to a fluid keys and guitar lead passage where Cecilio Perera Villanueva shows his outstanding skills, combining the style of David Gilmour and his own sound.

From that moment the band starts to sound like in their debut with incredibly interesting melodic passages, a lot of pomp (God I love that) and adding some weird screams reminiscent of Roger Waters. But please, don't believe they are cloning PINK FLOYD, the style and arrangements are unique and delightful with exceptional choir work. A great start for a great album.

Twilight Peak gets even more eclectic, in this track we can enjoy dramatic guitar solos, a bit of Jazz, of course some Floydian touches from Wish You Were Here era, soft piano, and everything a progressive Rock fan can ask for, with a group of musicians that have created something special. By far my favorite song.

Celestial Spheres closes the album in great form, with a frenetic approach where the rhythm section is simply impeccable, as if Wohlmuth and Ackermann had been playing together for decades and like if this wasn't their first release together. Simply delightful song with a wonderful vocal work.

I'm not sure if being pleased or pissed because BLANK MANUSKRIPT made us wait so long for a 23:21 minutes EP instead of another full length album, but let's take it as an advance of a next release that will hopefully reach the market soon.

Almost forgot about the rating??.Less than 4 solid stars would be criminally unfair.