ULTIMA THULE

Fascinating stuff this. Very dark and somewhat gloomy, but yet retaining hints of bands like Rush and even Yes's darker moments. A nordic band doing retro prog...........in 1987!!! Ahead of their time is probably the most accurate description. However, there is something not quite there in terms of compositions and performance. This is no Anglagard, that's for sure. They seem to be more amateurish, which isn't unusual for a debut, but is for those familiar with the nordic onslaught of prog bands in the mid-90's. But then, this was the 80's. All things considered, the recording quality is not bad, and the music itself does have some good qualities. The rhythm section is what probably reminds me most of the 90's nordic bands, but the keyboards and guitar seem to be a bit more "80's" in sound and style. Still, if you can find this album it might be worth hearing what a prog band from Norway in 1987 sounded like. Myself, I got this album on MP3 from a friend, who also doesn't have the original album. But if I could buy it, I probably would. I haven't heard anything else by this band, but this album makes me want to see how they developed over the years. I wonder what they made of the mid-90's explosion of similar bands from their neighbors in Sweden?

On the whole, good but not essential describes this well. Still, considering the year of release, it is an interesting historical anomaly.