BY THE WATERS OF TOMORROW

Well this does sound a little different from their previous album "Surpassing All Kings" as they've added violin, cello, flute and mellotron this time around. Mind you the mellotron isn't that outfront and according to Andy at Planet Mellotron it's sampled. The drumming is my favourite part of this record, the guy can flat out play.

"Daphne" kicks in quickly then the guitar starts to play over top as they seem to jam throughout this track. "Percious" has this spacey atmosphere to start as sounds echo, pulse and cry out. Some guitar and drums before 3 minutes as it builds. The tempo picks up too. Great sound here. It settles back around 5 minutes. "Amaryllis" opens with the drums sounding so good. The guitar comes in at 2 minutes lighting it up. Spacey synths replace the guitar then the guitar returns around 4 1/2 minutes. "Gao Zult" features drums and spacey sounds early on. It settles 4 minutes in then kicks back in quickly. Violin before 5 1/2 minutes.

"Tall Tree" has a relaxed and melodic soundscape. The guitar starts to light it up before 4 minutes then it settles back before 5 1/2 minutes. Cello joins in then it all kicks back in at 6 1/2 minutes. "Punto Fijo" is uptempo and led by guitar, spacey synths and drums. It settles before 2 minutes and it's very spacey here. The guitar starts to wind it out 6 minutes in followed by cello. "Pavani Lacryme" is strummed guitar and atmosphere until we get a beat 2 minutes in. The violin starts to cry out. "Seagulls Sing (When It Rains)" opens with whistling then drums come to the fore after 1 1/2 minutes with plenty of atmosphere. It's brighter before 3 1/2 minutes with flute. Seagulls can be heard after 6 minutes with waves to end it. Great track ! "Aurora Borealis" has this urgent sounding rhythm with the violin playing over top. Spacey winds join in as well.

Call me crazy but I like "Surpassing All Kings" better and I know i'm in the minority with those feelings. Still we get another winner from these Russians, in fact if you can get anything they've put out I wouldn't even hesitate.