Echo Us is a project led by multi-instrumentalist Ethan Mathews formerly of the progressive metal band Greyhaven. Echo Us has been around since the year 2000 and have released five studio albums to date including their latest titled To Wake A Dream In Moving Water.
For the most part the music is gentle and nuanced, near ambient at times although there are moments where the intensity level does increase such as a crescendo or instrumental flourish. Mathew's voice (when used) is an ideal fit for the music and is an album highlight for me. The calming "Awakening Current" starts the album off with serene synths and keyboard washes, choir vocals and the occasional darker sounds giving off a more ominous feel. The guitar work has a resemblance to Oldfield with perhaps a bit of Gilmour as well and is very easy on the ears. Mathews certainly has a lot of 'feel' in his playing. The second track "Aerial (Satre Dance)" begins with a lovely piano melody and is another mellow affair. The Celtic influenced "Begin to Remember v1" features outstanding acoustic guitar and lush strings creating a dreamy soundscape and is the first track to have lead vocals. The two long tracks, the mellow "From the Highlands" and the title tune both hover around the fifteen minute mark with the former featuring Mathew's emotive Oldfield-like guitar and Celtic influence while the latter offers a bit more heaviness as guitar chords liven up the soft and moody soundscape. The use of choir, strings and Mathews' dreamy vocals are quite nice. The guitar playing is again very melodic.
If you enjoy the mellower side of progressive music and dig ambient sounds I think you will find the latest Echo Us to be very enjoyable. I really like it.
Track Listing:
1. Awakening Current
2. Aerial (Satre Dance)
3. Begin to Remember v1
4. Begin to Remember v2
5. May Morning Dew
6. From the Highlands
7. Doina
8. To Wake a Dream in Moving Water
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Echo Us is a project led by multi-instrumentalist Ethan Mathews formerly of the progressive metal band Greyhaven. Echo Us has been around since the year 2000 and have released five studio albums to date including their latest titled To Wake A Dream In Moving Water.
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