NOUS

Same process than their previous album. A message to download their labum, and a promise from my side to review it on ProgArchives (although it took me a long time to do so for personal reasons).

The opening number is rather sweet and melodic (which is not the trademark of this band, more heavy oriented). « Portanovo » holds melancholic vocals, flute and very soft instrumental parts. It only becomes a little more in the band's style towards the end. A fine start though.

« Aion » which follows, is rather different. More in line with their previos works : dark, intricate, difficult to access for half ot it. And then, all of a sudden, it turns as a good old « Floyd » tune ! The end being even atmospheric and totally spacey. Another good track at the end of the day.

I have to say that with the following number, the good feelings are quite dropping. Mellow vocals (it could have been an all instrumental actually) and average instrumental parts make this track the weakest so far.

The title track, which is the longest of this offering (it clocks at almost 10 minutes), builds on a crecsendo theme which I love as you might know. It starts a bit mysterious a la Floyd of the very early days (ASOS) and speeds up little by little to reach a splendid guitar part which is really excellent and catchy as well. It evolves towards a more heavier part. Probably the highlight of this work.

The daunting ''Arturiana'' is fully in line with their Crimsonesque influences. It starts heavy, powerful and obscure. The structure (if any) of this track is difficult to understand and it flows more as an organized jam with different sections than anything else. Still, quite enjoyable, I have to say.

We might well be in front of their best work so far. I have to admit that I quite like these melodic lines like we've heard so far and the story goes on with the the sweet and closing number ''Stella Maris'' which ends up as a truely scary number.

Four stars for this good work . Their best so far IMHHO.