This is the VHB’s 8th release that they have beautifully created and let loose upon the world. It’s very hard to put the band in a nice little box saying this is what they are, but they cover so many vibes and styles that make it so hard to pigeonhole. I think for the sake of this little review of their awesome musical child, I will put them in the box of Prog. They create so much emotion and positive energy in everything that they do, that I find them my go-to band for musical therapy.
Day Of Reckoning is a wonderful opening track full of proggy goodness. The vocal harmonies are just delightful and I love the uptempo groove. Blue Forest clocks in at over 9 minutes, and starts with an isolated delicate vocal with soundscape keys and builds with epic harmonies, until we reach a crescendo with the band firing on all cylinders. The Promise has a very eerie intro with a very evil sounding acoustic guitar. The vocal melody is just sublime, and this is a goosebump moment for me. The vocal line and melody of All Of A Sudden You’re Gone is just beautiful and conjures up many emotions. This song almost feels like a folk tune from days past. Peace Patrol has a very nineties indie vibe to the intro and a hint of middle eastern vibes – I love the sax solo in the middle section.
They always manage to throw up something strange and endearing, and Pirates Of Raseborgian is this album’s offering. This track has a very Viking feel to the melody and hook. Anvil has a basic acoustic under groove, but the vocal and harmonies are just incredible – CSNY springs to mind. Elbowed starts almost like a show tune, and the vocal feels almost religious. Northern Lights starts off the final side, and the ambient keys and sounds actually feel as though you are standing watching the lights themselves, then a pulse bass line kicks – and jeez – what a great tune. Soderskar is a beautiful acoustic piece with great harmonies. The album closes out with Disappear Here, and the opening squeeze box sounds like a sea shanty lullaby.
My favourite track is All Of A Sudden You’re Gone as the vocals and harmonies are so moving. A truly great and original band – you definitely need this album in your life.
10/10 from The Grooveman.
