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Vespero: Surpassing All Kings
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RAIG (R041)
 Vespero is a band from Astrakhan, Southern Russia, formed in 2003. They play very interesting, psychedelic and progressive space rock that also has elements of kraut rock and avant-garde in it. So far they have released two great, official CD’s, one of which (Vespero/Rito, 2007) included studio material and the other (Foam, 2008) live tracks. This album still is the first official release to include new material specifically recorded for this release and not stuff picked up from the band’s previous, self-released CD-R’s. Vespero is one of the best, if not the best, band in Russia on its field, and this latest album one of last year’s highlights although it just didn’t make it into my top ten. While I was just listening to Surpassing All Kings it occurred to me that that this band has a lot in common with another favorite of mine, The Future Kings of England, although the avant-garde/jazz side is mostly non-existing with the Kings.
The album starts off with the at first pretty experimental ”Glass Rainbow (A Sign)”. The slow comp doesn’t begin until around the two-and-a-half-minute marker with some spacey synths blazing. At the four-minute-marker a faster, quite progressive going begins bringing Gong to mind. A really great opener! “Salma Simiere (Cross and Crown)” is a bit jazzy piece, ”The Tower (XVI)” a very spacey, at times also pleasantly groovy track. ”Lino (Similar They Spake)” is Gong styled, cosmic gliding and also includes some vocals used as an instrument. What an amazing track! The album’s longest (10:26) track is ”Serata (i.n.s.i.e.m.i.)” that has more vocals, at times progressive and intense going and at times more peaceful, serene stuff. It also includes nice guitar and keyboard solos. ”Glide (Like a Swan)” starts off in a soft and cosmic way, but grows gradually sounding a bit like Ozric Tentacles or Korai Öröm with its ethnic elements towards the end. The album is finished with the hypnotically beautiful and laid-back ”Sever (Surpassing All Kings)” that brings to mind The Future Kings of England. All in all this is a very strong album and worth checking out!
www.myspace.com/vesperohere |
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