RUINS

OK where to start. Zeppy Heaven it's not, it's Sabbath, no maybe Hawkwind, hold on that might be Jethro Tull, maybe Hidria Spacefolk, Pentacle, even Soundgarden. One of the problems listening to so much prog is that you end up constantly comparing, looking for similarities. Since none of us are born in a vacuum unless someone plays a tuba with their left foot underwater in 13/8 accompanied by Krummerhorns it won't be original (and did Gentle Giant not do that?). This is a refreshing, modern rift heavy, folksy, journey. Very quickly you can hear and feel the band's identity. Ninth Night and Rhine Sagas pulsate with raw energy, but it is in Kingfisher that there is true gold. Instantly grabbing, hypnotic vocals and riff. Is there a hint of Stone Roses? When it ends you want more, and more (and that's what you get with two reprises).Thistle begins with grunging guitar but soon the sweet harmony vocal comes in. Whereas Crumbling Dais starts with a mellow flute before the heavy guitar cuts in, but there are still the distinctive vocal. For some reason it reminds me of the Horslips (as does Belong), but it doesn't sound like the Horslips, it's more the mix of heavy guitar with at times folksy vocal. Not Me Sir, as a die-hard Hidria fan the opening is top notch but as soon as the vocals cut in we are dragged from Finnish space-proginess to lupine serenity. The impression is of band playing comfortably in their own space. No over-complication for the sake of it. This is my favourite prog album for 2016.

Before anything else, i must say that i was using this site for quite a while for finding good music for my taste. Recently i was digging deep into Wolf People's discography. And this album stuck with me. I come here to just give a vote to this album. Not just because I'm fanboying about them, because i felt the same feelings when i first listened Genesis' Selling England by the Pound, Jethro Tull's Thick as a Brick or Van der Graaf Generator's Godbluff. I cannot find a better comparison for a Prog record to give it a classic status. Surely there is much more complex or unique sounding records out there. But the main reason why i think this one is a modern classic is because it feels both nostalgic and fresh at the same time. It gave me both Western musical norms at an utmost level and also more Eastern, Middle Eastern if you will, exotic tastes at the same time. It gaves some Turkish Anatolian Rock, English Folk and Psychedelic vibes. And this is what Prog is essentially: a strongly structured eclectic musical feast.

Wow, this album is epic. It sounds like a mix between Tool, Hawkwind and Black Sabbath. I mean, it has everything. Heavy riffs, cool lead guitar, powerful rhythms, and clear melodic vocals. My favorite track off of this album would probably be "Ninth Night". I think that it put the album to a good start, and it stayed that good the whole way through. Honestly I can't believe that this album is so unpopular on this site, this album is pure gold. I would recommend this album to anybody, whether you like prog rock or metal. This album would make a great addition to any record collection.