ScienceNV
“The Mongols” from the “The Quest for Prester John - Volume 1”
The seventies were the musical era that saw the craziest innovations: eclecticism was the norm, genres were blending into new ones, crossover artists and songs were legions, there were no musical barriers. One of the genre that emerged and defined that era was progressive-rock, and this new album from ScienceNV, is full of reference and (ir)reverence to the bold sound of that time, with a modern twist, over a medieval theme no less.
The album itself (from which the first volume has just been released) is a mind-bending collaboration of more than 30 artists around the core 4 band members. It was recorded in 6 different studios across the US and has been 4 years in the making. It’s safe to say that this has been a very ambitious project! And the result was worth the wait!
Of the many songs from this first volume (including an epic of more than 32 minutes) I chose this one awesome instrumental that closes the album, centered around the tribulations of Prester John (the central medieval figure which is central to this concept album), as representative of the sound of the band, with virtuoso 5/4 meter and plenty of twists and turns.
I can definitely hear the influence of Steve Hackett, Yes, early Genesis, ELP, Camel, all staple bands from progressive-rock.
The analog synth sounds, the guitars, the rather dry drums, and easy on compression mastering, everything will make you believe these songs are rare takes from a seventies album from one of these legendary bands, and yet, it’s a modern release from a band that has revisited with passion a time where everything was musically possible.
Kudos for the bold approach and the musicianship. I can’t wait to hear the second volume of this saga!
Verdict: 5/5 beards
You can buy this song and the album on CD Baby: https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/sciencenv3