ASTRAKHAN - Reward In Purpose

(War On Music - 2016)

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Canada and prog haven't come up simultaneously on me ol' rock radar for rather a while.

 

Bravo Astrakhan for boldly reminding us that said combination of country and genre is still string and booming then. This Vancouver foursome bring it on heavy, brooding and baring a fair old heap of soul on top of shed loads of talent, from the start. Opening cut 'Omajod' almost fools me into assuming an instrumental number is for starters before the vocals slide in several minutes in to this multi dimensional psychedelic feast.

 

The sound of a band starting as they mean to go on is swiftly evident as 'Turgid Waters' 'The Traveller', 'Hatchet' and 'Microcosmic Design' visit all the many tried and tested twists and turns beckoning from their side of the but not without spreading wings. Slick snippets of Metallica, Soundgarden and Faith No More stick themselves into fitting holes along with flustery industrial turns.

 

Driven dextrously along by dual guitarists, Adam Young and Rob Zawistowski and Dustan Toth's deeply alternative crafted voice, this debut full-lengther is a piece of evidence that prog isn't dead, no matter where it appears to be quiet for a bit.

 

Excellent.

 

8.5/10

By Dave Attrill

RECOMMENDED IF YOU LIKE: Porcupine Tree, Dream Theater, Devin Townsend & Slayer.