IN SEARCH OF ANCIENT GODS

Featuring Bill Brufford on drums, In Search of Ancient Gods doesn't sound like Yes. Actually, Absolute Elsewhere was a project by Paul Fishman, the brainchild who wrote it all. He plays almost everything here (synths, flute, pianos, mellotron...), but drums and guitar. The album is very ecletic, including symphonic / electronic suites, trippy and atmospheric songs and some cheesy moments, but the spacey mood of the album wasn't that bad for me, as many other reviewers have been describing along the years. This is a concept album, inspired by Eric von Däniken books and theories about supposed aliens that came down to earth in distant ancient times. I'm not a believer, but I totally agreed that Däniken works are great material to study and write a conceptual suite about it, since I wrot a song with a similar concept (Protoculture), but influenced by a theory from a sci-fi series.. For sure, you will find a big s booklet together with the music, full of quotes and stuff, and pics from places that Däniken claims prove his ideas. My favorite moment of the album is the short analog synth solo The Gold Of The Gods, and the hypnotic progression of Chariots Of The Gods. Absolute Elsewhere's one shot "In Search of Ancient Gods is not an essential album, but the SCI-FI development together with the enjoyable suites and rarity level to find this piece nowadays, make this one a valuable album for any progressive rock collection.