Necromonkey: A Glimpse Of Possible Endings

Necromonkey is drummer Mattias Olsson, formerly of Änglagård and keyboardist David Lundberg of Gösta Berlings Saga. Their debut album Necroplex was released in 2013. It didn't take long for their second A Glimpse Of Possible Endings and that's a good thing for prog fans as this one is a beauty.

First of all it needs to be said that Necromonkey do not make commercial sounding progressive rock. What they do make is intelligent prog with a heavy helping of electronics and sound effects that is strangely addictive and surprisingly accessible if you give it half a chance. If there was one album I have heard so far this year that is 'a grower' this is it.

The album begins with "There Seem To Be Knifestains In Your Blood" with its Mediterranean-like guitar work and cool Mellotron. This is music to just sit back to and let it seep into your consciousness. You really need to listen closely to hear all the nuances and subtleties that are slowly revealed. With "The Sheltering Waters" I hear a little King Crimson, Radiohead and perhaps a bit of Steven Wilson. It's a tranquil beginning filled with Chapman Stick, courtesy of Rob Martino, and what I presume to be baritone guitar. The song builds slowly and the guitar work gets fuzzier until an hypnotic rhythmic groove reels the listener in. "The Counterfeit Pedestrian" is a short piano led number with interesting electronics followed by the fifteen minute long title track. Quiet interludes of xylophone and percussion, slow musical builds, spellbinding electronic effects and dramatic symphonic textures are just some of the possible descriptors attached to this song. The music flows beautifully from beginning to end, not stitched together the way some longer songs tend to be. The album ends with "The Worst Is Behind Us", a song that takes its time to build but that's the beauty of this album. The lush Mellotron violins adds a symphonic dimension to the overall sound.

A Glimpse of Possible Endings is an exquisite musical journey of rich sonic textures, clever musical builds and sweeping symphonics; an aural soundscape that just needs to be heard. Enough said.

Track Listing:
1. There Seem To Be Knifestains In Your Blood (4:17)
2. The Sheltering Waters (6:30)
3. The Counterfeit Pedestrian (2:36)
4. A Glimpse Of Possible Endings (15:24)
5. The Worst Is Behind Us (8:40)

Added: June 27th 2014
Reviewer: Jon Neudorf
Score:
Related Link: Band's Facebook Page
Hits: 2409
Language: english

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