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HERD OF INSTINCT
Incantation
(2019 - Firepool Records - USA)

https://herdofinstinct.bandcamp.com/album/incantation

https://herdofinstinct.wixsite.com/herdofinstinct

With the band's 5th release, they not only expand in standout guest musicians, but the core members stretch out and bring new demeanor, less ambience, and more girth among the 10 compositions. While Herd of Instinct have been solid since inception (co-founded by Mark Cook) and in previous albums explore multiple genres; on 'Incantation' they visit even more new places. On a higher level with added vocals (they have not used vocals since their debut), the end product is a grand result.

Those similar Crimson, Stickmen, Trey Gunn (many of the touch guitar progressive masters) styles are still intact, however this time avant-rock in the RIO chamber world with help from Elaine Falco (Thinking Plague) on vocals (track #2 and #9) will turn heads of both old and new fans. Although not what one would assume Falco to sound like, the medieval atmosphere does chill your bones, and that lush partly sacred shadowy chamber music is outstanding. Another roundabout is 'Myth and Ritual' (track #5) which is dedicated to Scott Walker's experimental orchestral endeavors. It was written shortly after Walker's passing. For this listener, this cut is as incredible and truly the finest moment I have ever heard from the band.

The exceptional line up on this platter is: Mark Cook (also of Spoke of Shadows) - Warr guitar, fretless bass, guitar, keyboards, and string arrangements/ Bill Bachman (also of Spoke of Shadows, Neil Morse) - drums and percussion/ Mike McGary -piano and synth/ Rick Read - Chapman Stick, bass, and keyboards/ and special guests: Elaine Di Falco (Thinking Plague) - vocals and lyrics/ Colin Edwin (Porcupine Tree, Ork) - fretless bass and ebow / Gayle Ellett (Djam Karet, Fernwood) – Mellotron, Rhodes, Moog, Hammond, harmonium, guitar, and tambura (he also did the mastering of the album)/  Adam Holzman (Miles Davis, Steven Wilson) - Rhodes, Moog, Mellotron, and Hammond/ Stephen Page (Stonebriar String Quartet) - violin/ Craig Shropshire (Impending Bloom) - hand percussion and gong/ and Dave Streett - Warr guitar. This is an out of the ordinary gathering of musicians.

The overall atmosphere is dark and slightly cloudy but with a burst of sunlight and brilliant rays in just the right spots. This album is proof that Herd of Instinct have plenty more to offer the music world. The main composer of the outfit, I asked Mark Cook how he went about writing the material and he replied "I write/arrange most of the music and the band interprets the parts or create their own thing within the music.  I'm quite open to everybody's input.  I send the guest musicians the pieces and they write their parts without much direction from me.  They bring ideas that enhances the music and it's always a surprise to hear what they'll come up with." As all fans can attest, this works wonderfully. From cinematic, post rock, progressive rock, and all the inbetweens the players have tackled, it always feels strong and with purpose. The physical CD package is in perfect relation to the music. They would be hard pressed to find better cover art to represent the recording (front, back and inside), plus the haunting photography is striking.

Bringing all their finest elements to a fire dance, surprising the onlookers with some awesome RIO in the Art Zoyd/Univers Zero approach, and letting go the magic whip on some Fripp/Pinhas/Massacre workouts; HOI skate the light fantastic. 'Torture Garden' (track #10) brings more chamber orchestra in a gem that knocks on the gate of forever classic greatness. The scary thing is, after this album I am certain they can even take it up another notch. More please. RECOMMENDED.

  ©Reviewed by Lee Henderson 11 - 23- 2019
     

 
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ACQUA FRAGILE
Moving Fragments
(2023 - Maracash - Italy)


https://maracashrecords.bandcamp.com/album/moving-fragments


  A group who have the uncanny talent of keeping their classic  sound along with staying up tpo date. This amazing return is from 1970's Italian progressive rock outfit, with frontier man lead vocal Bernardo Lanzetti, who made this band and some PFM albums so specifically brilliant. At this decade, to expect more beauty would be a fantasy, yet it is set before your ears, even with the first notes, this masterpiece of Italian, (and not only Italian) progressive rock that certainly grasps the notion of what the genre of "progressive" was always meant to be. ACQUA FRAGILE create another sweetly classic knockout recording, not with even a heavy breath of past to present effort.  In fact, it sounds and feels more authentic than ever.  Bernardo sounds as if he never aged a week, and all muscians present are at full force, not passing up the chance to make another massively classic album.   An album to put Acqua Fragile at the top of the few chosen progressive rock choices of all time. The first song ('Her Shadlows Torture' 05:52 - editors note:  A misspell on the 'Shadows' which is on Bandcamp at this writing - but is correct as 'Her Shadow's Torture' on physical CD)  hug you and give all relief, as to any possible doubts of a long awaited fourth album by this top notch Italian band. I claim it will leave your heart lay bleeding. Grab the spectral energy and enjoy a glimpse of beautiful cocoon birth.

  Not one song is with sacrifice, even a wink of lamb. In fact, some elements are added to further enchance and stun the audience, such as inclusive female vocals by Rossella Volta. The bulk of the outfit is Piero Canavera (drums, percussion, vocals),  Franz Dondi (bass), Bernardo Lanzetti (lead vocals, guitar, Glovox),  Stefano Pantaleoni (keyboards),  Claudio Tuma (guitars), with special aid by (aforementioned vocalist Rosella Voita) ,  Gigi Cavalli Cocchi - drums (1,6),  Sergio Ponti - drums (4,9), Stef Burns- guitar (2),  Brian Belloni - guitar (4),  Davide Piombino - 7 string guitar (5),  and David Jackson - sax & flute (6). Could you ask for more?   After one listen you cannot want more. Thank Maracash label (Italy) for standing behind so many great Italian artists who have done the blood, sweat, and tears in earlier years, and deserve the attention now.
Although the band name translates to 'Fragile Water', it might be better described as Precious Water at this point and time in our decreasingly cared for world. Perhaps even better, Rare Water. The beauty of this entire recording is apparent, true, sincere, and a step forward. Better than one would dream of, past the point of how all old fans could imagine, and  actually done in the upper atmospheres of what anyone could have dreamed of. Everyone is top notch and most of all, Lanzetti is 100% present, making it another masterpiece.  It is my deep recommendartion for all fans of both classic progressive rock and the new fields of progressive music to give this a direct and full attention (no distractions) listen. RECOMMENDED.
  ©Reviewed by Lee Henderson 1 - 19 - 2024


 

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