SUICIETY

This is the second album from Greek musician Nikitas Kissonas and a major improvement over the debut album from 2011. While The Fall Of Bliss was merely good this follow-up is great. Basically Nikitas was a one-man-band on the debut but here he is backed by other musicians, only playing guitar himself. Joining him here is members of The Enid, Anglagard, Birds And Buildings, Agents Of Mercy and Mother 'n Son. In addition there is a string quintet and a brass quintet which are utilized to great effect. Compared to the debut the music here is more varied and confident sounding.

According to the liner notes this album is a "comment on contemporary society" and for whatever reason begins with Chapter IV (the album is divided into chapters but there are nine actual tracks). Called "Ruins" this opener is a moody symphonic piece with whispered vocals which turn into half-spoken/half-sung vocals. "Remember, Fear's a Relic" is some funky prog with some nice organ. Falsetto vocals are used for the lyrics where a female is talking. "Who Can It Be?" opens with majestic brass. It goes into a part with vocals and guitar (along with brass) sounding like a mix of prog folk and chamber rock.

The vocal part comes back with drumming and backup vocals. Later a very symph prog sounding part followed by more of a heavier rocking and synth-heavy section. A highlight for sure. "The Origin Of Blame" is another highlight. This song reminds me of both Supertramp and 10cc. Very upbeat and poppy for the most part. Almost an old school R&B vibe to this track. "Prey's Prayer" is an instrumental that sounds like a cross between Floyd and Camel. "Sunlight" opens with what sounds like tremoloed and Leslied electric guitar before going into an acoustic ballad.

Halfway drums arrive and everything turns more jazzy. The earlier ballad part is reprised with drums now. "The Relic" starts out as another acoustic ballad with more melodic vocals and some synth backing. A riff on electric guitar appears and piano mimics it. Then strings soar over top. The music comes to a stop and the ballad part is reprised, but now it's instrumental and the strings build towards a crescendo. The title track is possibly the standout piece. The best comes at the end of this album.

Starting out as some kind of mix of industrial and fusion with some spacey synths for good measure. Love that synth bass. Then it turns into symphonic techno rock. Then a straight symphonic piece with acoustic guitar (and that all is just within first 4 minutes!) After that we get some moody orchestral jazz. This is followed by some slow paced symph prog. Ends with vocals and lyrics similar to Chapter IV at the beginning. Overall this is a better written, better performed and better sounding album than The Fall Of Bliss. It's one of those albums where you're not sure what to make of it when you first listen to it, but repeated listenings are rewarding. 4 stars.