I
must admit of being rather unaware of the Swiss band Zenit and their take on
progressive rock. When I heard them described as neo prog, alarm bells were
starting to go off in my head. In my experience, a lot of music labelled as neo
prog turns out to be not very good. Still, I decided to give their latest album
from 2013, The Chandrasekhar Limit, a go.
I’ve never been so happy to be mistaken. While this album may have a lot of the elements that most neo albums have, it is all done so well, with the emphasis on wonderful song-writing, joined by a very analytical arranging approach. With neo bands mostly favouring tributes to the 70s symphonic progressive scene, it’s would be easy to neglect other musical genres. Still, Zenit add some very daring touches to this picture. We have some jazzy segments to keep it interesting, but what really caught my attention was the Eastern influenced Matrimandir. The rest of the album features some epic progressive goodness and some catchier moments as well. It would have been a blinding album even without the untraditional neo elements, but with them it has risen to the status of “very special”.
With a Fish-y voice and Gilmour-like guitar, this album could have been headed for a typical neo showcase. The band managed to avoid these traps by adding some of their own ideas and musical fancies into the mix. It all works well and is especially fresh.
The album is warm and touches the soul, yet it is also highly serious and complex. A great combination of the heart and the brain working in unison.
8.5 out of 10.
CURRENTLY AVAILABLE FROM GONZO
I’ve never been so happy to be mistaken. While this album may have a lot of the elements that most neo albums have, it is all done so well, with the emphasis on wonderful song-writing, joined by a very analytical arranging approach. With neo bands mostly favouring tributes to the 70s symphonic progressive scene, it’s would be easy to neglect other musical genres. Still, Zenit add some very daring touches to this picture. We have some jazzy segments to keep it interesting, but what really caught my attention was the Eastern influenced Matrimandir. The rest of the album features some epic progressive goodness and some catchier moments as well. It would have been a blinding album even without the untraditional neo elements, but with them it has risen to the status of “very special”.
With a Fish-y voice and Gilmour-like guitar, this album could have been headed for a typical neo showcase. The band managed to avoid these traps by adding some of their own ideas and musical fancies into the mix. It all works well and is especially fresh.
The album is warm and touches the soul, yet it is also highly serious and complex. A great combination of the heart and the brain working in unison.
8.5 out of 10.
CURRENTLY AVAILABLE FROM GONZO
 | The Chandrasekhar Limit CD - �9.99 |
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