If you are a progressive rock band releasing your first album based on the concept of death and the death of a loved one, what more appropriate name for your band to choose than Anubis, the god of the dead and funeral rites in ancient Egypt.
They are an Australian band formed in Sydney, in 2004 under the leadership of Robert James MOULDING (vocals) and keyboardist David EATON. Anubis also features Douglas SKENE (guitarist), bassist Nick ANTOINETTE and drummer Steven EATON. Note that the production is carried by guitarist Dean Bennison, also of THE EXPERT SLEEPERS.
This, their first album, comes in a beautiful packaging. The cover refers to the duality at work - as in that of "The Division Bell" by PINK FLOYD. Musically, this album is a conceptual work inspired by the death of a friend of some of the members of Anubis. The atmosphere of "230503" is a like a little film. This is definitely an album of progressive rock- rich, ballsy and epic. With occasional touches of acoustic folk, electro, world, experimental, lyrical landscapes with strong vocal harmonies.
This concept starts with the story of a young man aged 20. Dissatisfied with his life and loneliness, he meets a girl on the internet. He will do anything for her and together they embark on a boat trip. The right time for him to offer her a beautiful silver pendant. Overtaken with a deep emotion, he feels the need step outside ... and is seen no more. Did he fall overboard? He wakes up in a kind of amnesia in an unfamiliar land, dressed in rags and becomes a drug dealer. After many adventures, he was taken by ambulance to hospital following an overdose. There, he saw a nurse with a similar silver pendant around her neck. You think the story ends there with a happy ending? Nay! In this text, the scenario goes up in smoke, this story is imagined by the younger sister of the young man who does not accept his death and clinging to the hope that his brother is still alive somewhere.
With the sound of a telephone ringing, sometimes synonymous with bad news, there begins the explosive "The Deepest Wound". The rhythmic flirts with KING CRIMSON (the era of "Discipline") supported by a rhythm guitar marking a strong tension. This piece closes with "Leaving Here Tonight" whose intro on acoustic guitar has echoes of "Dogs" by PINK FLOYD and is a vehicle for the expressive vocals of Robert James MOULDING; dynamics and pace rises gradually before the denoument, with crashing guitar chords and synths, in sumptuous layers.
The main ingredients of "Breaking Water" are the piano and vocals but also features the mellotron and synths that make some inroads of beauty, which is reminiscent of Genesis. Then comes "Waterfall" quite simply a beautiful ballad. But what about the guitar solo? Quite simply, great. Layered with mellotron which reveals all its mystery to close with alluring notes of African percussion. There is a terrifying atmosphere guaranteed with "Anonymity" which begins in a mysterious way. And then it gets carried away, the bass bounces well supported by drums, guitar distorts. Everything changes, the atmosphere is electric. In short, the piece that alternates between pictures - like "The Bond of Mutual Distrust," with an acoustic guitar introduction, part plaintive and poignant and part rhythmic powerful riffs. The whole is supported by a dynamic rhythm section and embellished with keyboards, mellotron, and various sound effects based in the song.
A little later, "The Doctor" plays with more pop rock tones, and we note an aggressive song. As for the shortest song, "Flying / Falling", it is more electronic synthesizers in this arrangement. The voice on the vocoder and the repetition gives it an air of KRAFTWERK. Among the highlights, the last two pieces- real pieces that will give you chills for half an hour. First, there is "The Collapse", a complex piece divided into two parts. The first, punctuated by a thundering bass, keyboards and an electric guitar solo worthy of Steve ROTHERY. The piano introduces the transition and the second part that again reflects a long Floydian grand finale, a dignified sensibility. Everything is illuminated by the melancholy vocal of Robert James MOULDING. ANUBIS close the album with a bang in "Disinfected and Abused", an epic 17 minutes. The styles are so diverse and complex, with moments of melancholy, hard, soft, exhilarating and sometimes puzzling. The major influence is PINK FLOYD. Note the excellent injection of saxophone.
Anubis offers a splendid debut album showing a great maturity with two key pieces worthy of the great group that is PINK FLOYD. I would strongly recommend "230503"! Certainly a top album and a real shot in the heart.
