STRANGER THAN FICTION

Well folks where can I start with this review, These guys keep raising the bar, I already heard their first 2 albums ( both superb) but now this new disc that is now in digi pack version, ? and with a beautiful art work cover, It is simply stunningly good. Are they on steroids or what. Each and every member of the band have made it their intension to improve on their game... and it shows. This lovely album of near 70 minutes of pure class Prog is really quite delightfull . From a mellow beginning witha quiet instrumental which is very beautiful and then we are introducee to merry mayhem with TRUE IDENTITY.. A simply superb upbeat 5 minute rocker.. I love the bass playing here. Then we have a true classic FIRE IN THE SKY. a near 8 minute soulful beginings then rock it up a little beauty. SO very catchy number I'm sure you will be haunted by it's singalong ability. Track 4 is a quality song also, with a 10 minute length and endearing guitar it is the first epic. followed by THE GATHERING... it's 7 minute length of at first spoken introduction then up tempo into the real epic of track 6 JOURNE'S END. A 15 minute masterpiece, I simply love this song.. it guides you in to a lovely repeating almost Led Zeppelin repeated guitar riff, with interplay between bass guitar. quite catchy and burning into your soul. Track 7 is a acoustic title LAMENT and at near 2 minutes it is a nice instrumental to catch your breath before the simply epic and wonderful track 8.. SOUND TO LIGHT.. This is in my opinion their best ever song.. It is 0ver 18 minutes long and it simply awesome... With a recurring riff that will haunt you forever, also wonderful vocals from Alan Taylor and magnificent key work from Darrel Treece Birch with interplay from guitar guy Martin walker. Not forgetting drumming from Craig Walker which is powerful and skilful. meanwhile his brother Gavin on bass keeps hammering away like a piston. This lovely album is in my humble opinion my pick for album of the year for Prog.. It simply has no weak songs, it is consistent and it has a bit of class, furthermore, every band member is on top of their game. I very much recommend you to give this great album a listen. it is a real grower. That is fact not fiction.

NTH ASCENSION come up with their fourth CD 'Stranger Than Fiction'. And I was wondering to know how the British band sounds in 2019. The line-up remains the same as before, and is comprised of: the lead singer Michal Alan Taylor, Martin Walker (electric & acoustic guitars), Darrel Treece-Birch (keyboards), Gavin Walker (bass), Craig Walker (drums & percussion). Their latest, eight-track record applies a variety of different colours, alterations and tones resulting in the 72 + minutes album that is mere intriguing. Now let's elaborate. Appropriately titled 'The Opening' begins with the distant thunderclap and sound of sea waves rolling, before entering of sublime vocalization complemented by the flawless orchestral backdrop. In itself, it's a wonderful piece of music which should apply to people who crave to hear a Celtic vibe. By the time this engaging introduction to the album ends, you would expect somewhat yet in agreeable style, but instead find a ponderous 'True Identity'. In my view, this power metal plot is an odd inclusion to the set - just because it sounds overly heavy, reminding of the Manowar trend. And I am praying for the next song to begin. Fortunately, the third composition 'Fire In The Sky' is one of my personal favorites on the entire album. The instrumental performances of all musicians and emotive vocals work together suitably well, giving lots of hope for the subsequent material. Being contrast with its predecessor, 'Reconciled' leans to a classic hard-rock pattern. Despite this reservation, it's a solid track with fairly diverse moods. Towards the middle, there is a tranquil section featuring superlative guitar work and soulful lead singing. To move things further, a later segment returns to initial groove. The disc continues with a massive, almost 25 min. musical block where 'The Gathering', 'Journeys End' and 'Lament' dovetail well, being hewn from the cloth of multi-faced tapestry 'Clanaan' which is familiar from the earlier CD's (here, respectively, we have new parts number 7, 8, 9) - and each adding wealth of diverse elements, melodies, textures to ensure the holistic impression. As if this wasn't enough, the ultimate piece 'Sound To Light' lasts 18 + min. saturated with the interaction of all partners allowing the music to provide transitions with enough of contrast going on. In that sense, a long epic carries the album to worthy conclusion. So what can be said about CD 'Stranger Than Fiction' as a whole? Of course, I do have a negative remark concerning the second track on this CD. But for the most part, Nth Ascension unveil here a strong work that features the peculiar songwriting, high-classy musicianship and profound singing. It certainly deserves to be heard by prog rock audience...

So, the boys are back with their fourth album. There can't be many bands who can say that the only change in line- up since the debut is that the father of two of the members joined in time for the second and they have been the same ever since. While Martin Walker (guitars) is there to keep a weather eye on his sons Craig (drums) and Gavin (bass) the line-up is completed by Darrel Treece-Birch (keyboards) and Michael Alan Taylor (vocals). DTB and I have been friends for some years, ever since I came across his solo album 'Celestial' years ago, and he in turn then came across my review. As well as being an active artist in his own right (I urge you to check out his albums if you haven't already), he is also keyboard player with Ten and has appeared on the last five albums with that band, so is certainly busy. But I would be remiss if I didn't mention Alan's solo album as well, 'Avalonia (The Sonnets of Guinevere)' which was one of my albums of the year for 2018. Get it on vinyl!

That's enough back story and we need to get on with the album at hand. Writing in the band is very collaborative, with Initial 'bare bones' of songs being brought into a rehearsal setting and the band enhancing from there. Once the song is fleshed out and expanded upon it is then ready for playing live or indeed recording. All members of the band bring ideas to the table and in some cases a reinvention of older ideas from the various incarnations of previous bands, e.g. 'Sound To Light' is a song written originally in 1991 by DTB, at which time it was only eight minutes long and not the epic 18 minutes it now closes the album with. The guys cite different references, with the likes of Marillion, Genesis, Yes, Sensational Alex Harvey Band, Rush, Dream Theater and Pink Floyd being mentioned, but they have taken all those elements and then built them into something which is very much of their own design.

Musically this is highly arranged neo prog which also straddles at times into melodic hard rock and symphonic prog, by a band who are determined people are not going to forget the 'rock' side of the terminology. Martin is an inventive guitarist who produces superb solos and hard riffs while Gavin keeps it all together and Craig shows he is determined to make his drums front and centre. He doesn't overpower what is going on but instead provides fills and rolls as if he is channelling his inner Neal Peart. Then you have DTB and Michael Alan. DTB isn't a flashy keyboard player in any way, and fully understands his part in this band, so at times he can seem almost restrained, but that is because here is a group who feel incredibly organic, who understand the whole is more important than individuals and he is always there either providing support to others, adding melodic nuances or touches as the need arises. At the front there is Mr. Taylor, surely one of the most under-rated singers in the scene. His vocals drip emotion, and are always full of power, and although he may not sing as high as others his approach is perfect for the music at hand.

Nth Ascension have somehow never managed to capture the imagination and interest of progheads like many others who are less worthy, and perhaps that is because there is at times an opinion from some that neo prog is a term only to be used with derision. But take it from me, it was this style of music which kept the scene alive some 25 years ago, and if this had been released back then it would be deemed to be a classic of the genre. As for me, I'm just going to keep playing this and enjoying it each and every time, as the boys have yet again delivered the goods.

This is a great álbum specially in the instrumental compositions and performance The vocals in my opinión should had been more in the space rock style as Pink Floyd This work is very influenced in my opinión by Pink Floyd , Led Zeppellin and Hawkwind ( middle and last works). Best songs are the long ones.

If we take appart the Second song( a llittle weak in my opp) this is near to a masterpiece, in the space rock subgener In my oppinion this prog rock music is more lined by space rock than neo prog

So a great Job and expecting still an improve 4 stars