BEHIND THE SUN

"Behind The Sun" finished 6th overall in the voting for the "Best of 2014" list here at Prog Archives, and deservedly so. I must admit I was surprised at how accessible this album is with plenty of catchy and melodic tracks. As usual of late this band combines that heavy sound with psychedelia with excellent results. Reine Fiske(LANDBERK, PAATOS etc.) is back playing guitar and mellotron.

Up first is "Cloudwalker(A Darker Blue)" which is a top three track for me. It almost sounds like PORCUPINE TREE to start as in the opening of "Blackest Eyes" before it kicks in before a minute with vocals to follow. This is such an uplifting, sunny track(not behind the sun here). I love the line "I like the gospel better than the church". A nice mellow section arrives after 3 1/2 minutes with mellotron before the main theme returns a minute later. "Cloud...walk...er". Nice. "Ghost" features mellotron and picked guitar as the drums and a fuller sound follow. This is laid back as reserved vocals join in before 2 minutes. A trippy tune that is quite touching actually. "On A Plate" kicks ass and if it was on my plate it wouldn't be for long(haha). Some fuzz to that guitar which means it must be Reine. The vocals are really good here as well. "The Promise" is a catchy and uptempo track with vocals and it's quite heavy too. I adore this one 'cause it moves me. A ripping guitar solo after 2 1/2 minutes.

"Kvaestor(Including Where Greyhounds Dare)" has such an interesting rhythm to it throughout, I really like what they've done here. The drums are killer as well. I like when the guitar kicks in. This is like a runaway train. "Hell, Part 4-6 : Traitor/The Tapestry/Swiss Cheese Mountain" is the longest song at 12 1/2 minutes. Mellotron leads early before acoustic guitar and bass take over before a minute, reserved vocals follow. So good. Love the bass here. Some nice soaring guitar 3 1/2 minutes in, then a calm follows a minute later with mellotron and acoustic guitar followed by vocals. It kicks into gear after 8 minutes as they jam to the end. "Entropy" is led by bass, strummed guitar and laid back vocals to start in this dreamy psychedelic tune. It does kick into a heavier sound just before 4 minutes as the vocals stop and the guitar leads the way, then back to the previous sound. "The Magic & The Wonder(A Love Theme)" is such a great track with that heavy and melodic sound with vocals. The guitar lights it up 2 minutes in. "Hell, Part 7 : Victim Of Rock" is a heavy bluesy tune with upfront guitar and vocals after a minute. This is a beat-down folks. It's not as full after 3 1/2 minutes but it's still uptempo but the heaviness returns quickly. This is a stampede.

I love this album and as usual Reine Fiske kills with his performance. MOTORPSYCHO is another band from Norway that is quickly becoming one of my favourites.