CLOUDS

That was a surprise! Another prolific band quasi appearing out of nowhere this year. Such a high quality album when it comes to a debut! NON NEWTONIAN MAN are from Piacenza, Italy, though musically not deriving from the wide-ranging RPI playground. Hence this comes way more in the heavier vein of fellow countrymen Dropshard and Soul Secret. A six piece unity with assumed family relations and the guarantee of a lush as well as virtuoso sound. Man! They are really growing in confidence when even announcing a series of albums, a progressive project named 'Three Worlds' exactly. Where each one features nine songs linked together with 70 minutes running time.

Something conceived well in advance with certainty, yeah, that means a working phase of just about ten years! 'I'm tired of chains, that bind my brain' - the album seems to deal with several characters and mental respectively philosophical issues. And now, who is this Non Newtonian Man? The protagonist who thinks and acts in a distinct non-linear manner? The lyrics are in English, though abstract, encrypted, difficult to explore. The sole exception I could detect would be the title of the extended Olandese Volante - the Italian expression for Flying Dutchman. Maybe they feel like being the responsible crew which is condamned to cross the ocean for ever and ever? Food for thought in good supply.

My focus is more on the instrumental flow anyway. Complementing to the main seasons the band is moving through four chapters here with some breathtaking purposefulness. In association with the other long runner Biomechanical this may be regarded as the album's centerpieces. Though the more I'm listening I find it difficult to highlight any particular song ever. Or the other way round, I easily could recommend each. So what. This is heavy, slightly metal bordering stuff, decorated with prominent organ/piano and good vocals featuring traces of accent. Don't know why really, but there's something special happening when Italian born vocalists are singing in English. I personally do like that in many cases.

'I was frozen while my demons grew, but now I'm here at last' - finally the story seems to run into a temporary happy end. 'Clouds' sounds like developed with much thoughtfulness and ease. Fantastic workout! Can't say where they should improve. Only the closing song Queen surprisingly appears somewhat half-baked to me towards the end. But this probably is designed with intent, to represent the transition to the sophomore album. While considering a chain of wonderful compositions there is a constant state of change given. I strongly recommend to have a concentrated listen. Musicianship and mixing do leave nothing to be desired. If the NON NEWTONIAN MAN is capable of continuing in this way, at the latest then they'll evolve to a great inspiration when it comes to the prog genre.