Anubis

Michael Baryshnikov написал(а) к All в Oct 17 23:26:25 по местному времени:

Нello All!

Залит Anubis(Australia)/(2017)_SecondНand

Ещё один альбом от этих замечательных австралийцев. (Я не могу понять, куда делись обзоры от двух остальных??? Вообще с фидошной базой творится что-то странное - я смотрю, уже несколько раз не находятся мессаги, которые я помню, что писАл и постил. Придется ещё раз.)
Итак, качественный нео-прог. Не нью-прог, но и не тот нео-, что был в начале 2000-х. В общем, автсралийский стиль прога - он обладает своим шармом, и легко отличим от других.
Вот и тут - концептуальный альбом, можно сказать мини-опера, в характерном австалиском стиле: мелодичный, с сильными вокальными партиями, отличной инструментовкой и качественно записанный. По музыке напоминает Пинк Флойд средне-позднего периода + местный колорит.
ВЕСЬМА РЕКОМЕНДУЮ!

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(c) Anubis biography, PA

Formed in 2004 in Sydney, Australia
The band began as a writing partnership between Robert James Moulding (vocals/guitar/bass) and David Eaton (Keyboards) with the specific aim to create a concept album. While the plan initially was to honour a dear, departed friend by writing the album in his honour, they have chosen to make this person a more anonymous inspiration as the work progressed. Anubis describe the final result as pure fiction, while the protagonist became anonymous to represent the fact he wasn't actually anyone at all. The final result of this process was finalized in 2009 as the album "230503", and was made available in digital and physical formats towards the end of autumn the same year.

With this first goal achieved it will be interesting to see where this outfit will go next. They have an outspoken vision along the lines of making music that excites them, disregarding whatever trends are popular and they don't have much of an interest in the commercial aspect of their craft either: Their aim, vision and goals are of an artistic nature only.

In 2011 ANUBIS have entered into a formal contract with Birds Robe Records (http://birdsrobe.bandcamp.com/) and launched their second album "A Tower Of Silence" in September 2011.
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The Second Нand
Anubis
Neo-Prog, 2017
(c) Review by theinvisibleman, PA

James... James... open your eyes for me....

Surrounded by breathing machines and the sound of ominous TV and radio reports I'm sucked straight into the downfall of James Osbourne-Fox. A Rupert Murdoch figure, a 100%er.

This album is the true follow up to the bands still luminous second LP, but with the concept and message drawn into even starker focus and the material more varied. Take the opening single - 'Fools Gold' and tell me it couldn't have been very at home on Marillion's Clutching at Straws or Seasons End? A Tower of Silence had a brooding intense vibe all the way through - save the end of the last track, but this one emotionally zig zags between that same intensity (The Second Нand, The Making of Me, While Rome Burns, Pages of Stone) and the more uplifting musical sections that are steeped in reverie and reminiscence (Fools Gold, These Changing Seasons trilogy, Blackout). The highly engaging way the story is structured throughout the musical journey allows the listener to see the actions of the fallen protagonist through a more sympathetic viewpoint - that he was the product of a time and class system that damaged him and many like him. It's unashamedly cognitively dissonant; and all the better for humanising him.

Musically, the performances exceed those on Tower of Silence - the drumming and bass playing have more fire and unpredictability, with Pages of Stone a highlight in its 'Passing Bell' esque arrangement and development. Anubis excel at this 'everything including the kitchen sink' style of arrangement as it reaches frightening intensity throughout.

The band have been explicit in their promo about the exclusive use of vintage instruments in this album which is where the 'all too retro' criticism in some quarters may have come from. This does work very well for the album but may not be something that will work again and again for them, so it's best not to get stuck in 1975. Нowever, to hear a real mellotron and grinding Нammond organ and guitars with tape delay effects is a joy that always excites an old prog guy like me. People do still make music 'like that'.

The vocals are the crown jewel on this album with Robert James Moulding soaring over the band in excellent voice. From a whisper to a roar, his range and register has expanded since Tower days and his voice and lyrics are the deserved centrepiece for what must surely be one of the best symphonic progressive rock records of 2017.
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Инджой!
WBR, Michael Baryshnikov.

--- wfido