WAVING AT THE SKY

Follow up to one of my albums of the year: the Approbation ( 2023) Scandinavia have usurped Italy in the prog rock canon these last few years and Avkrvst are living proof. I see Haken as a main comparison -and Ross Jennings does appear on one track here. Preceding is a short track opening with keyboards and evolving into heavier territory before an anthemic middle and heavier ending with spoken words 9/10 The Trauma has an angry instrumental beginning - Porcupine Tree like - guitar comes in near 2 minutes ( brilliant) with vocals reminding me of Haken ( in English by the way) Growls at 5 minutes to end 9/10 Families are Forever. A longer track at 7.50 -beautiful intro,acoustic guitar follows by softer vocals. The vocals on this album are superb. Brief growls at 2.17 which I don't usually like but contrast nicely with the laid back song. Keys come in at 3.50 - also a highlight of this album. The guitar and keys at 6 minutes are wonderful. 10/10 Conflating Memories. A similar start to the previous track - clean vocals -more great guitar at 3 minutes when the track becomes fuller -heavier at 4.45 when a great synth solo comes in and lead guitar closes - superb 10/10 The Malevolent. Haken Ross Jennings adds vocals to this short,catchy rocker - very Haken - play loud in the car ! 10/10 Ghosts of Yesteryear. Heavy beginning,great bass -keys come in at 1.36 -quietens at 2.15 with vocals over a mellotron sound,before guitar joins in -note Edvard Seim for guitarist of the year - pace quickens again after 4 minutes when tension builds,then relents. A feature of Avkrvst -they keep you guessing as to where the music goes. 10/10 Waving at the Sky. Title track and longest at 12.19. Everything the band does well is encapsulated in the wonderful track. Simon Bergseth vocals ( another contender for male vocalist) begins the track slowly with great backing vocals and at 3.35 the track builds magnificently and enter a new phase with spoken male and female vocals. At 5.45 the pace quickens with keys leading the way -growls come in at 7.14 not for long and a wonderful synth solo follows before the magnificent ending from the whole band 10/10 A modern masterpiece - must be an album of the year or the decade come to that.