One of the prerequisites of a progressive band, or the best type of progressive band, is that ability to succeed in evoking images. Clear ideas, ability to vary, a worthy concept, and above all, the complexity of the work.
Anubis, an Australian sextet, on their debut disc, have attempted, with some success, in creating a work that it is shaped in such a way.
The type of music played from the band is identified with cinematic progressive rock.
How is this cinematic effect obtained with the progressive rock? Through the flowing dynamics of the compositional ideas, with a detailed attention to the tone shading, so that the narration is never flat and monotonous, so that the listener is guided on the path, and doesn't risk getting lost on the journey.
Anubis seem to know this fact and create a fascinating concept, sufficiently catchy to hold the attention. The ear is soon accustomed to the chosen colors from the players, each piece of music slides comfortably after the previous, without annoying jumps, and all seems in service of the plot.
The plot itself is inspired by a dramatic event that affected deeply two members of the band- Robert and David. The loss of a boy aged twenty years, and of the suffering caused by the loss to their loved ones. Shifting between surrealistic images and comatose states from which emerge memories mixed to the truth, with a surprising twist in the plot at the end.
The fiction of the work comes linked also at musical level: the faster and aggressive pieces (The Deepest Wound), these moments are followed with restrained melody (Breaking Water), and the use of electronic and psychedelic effects (Anonymity).
The voice, though the lyrical focus is not always convincing, is mostly narrator, the tone sentimental, and the production is indie-rock in style, and sometimes the style is reminiscent of The Dredge or the Protest the Hero.
The musicians perform well in this newer style, listening to the whole thing unleashes all the delights of Marillion and Arena, these elaborate influences and, sometimes they clash with that indie production. But on the other hand, in this atmosphere the mellotron fits to perfection, very well played by David Eaton.
Light and shadows on 230503, therefore. Even if the first listening doesn't instantly grab you, (dismissible, certainly, with little effort), in time it will stay afloat.
For this we do not feel it in ourselves to reject this album, for which it goes recognized for it's freshness of songwriting and in total, the fact that it reflects a cohesion between it's concept and music.
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