AURUM NOSTRUM

Sinkadus more or less picks up where Anglagard left off. They play a less complex, more melodic, folky and textural version of the aforementioned great of the 90's prog revival. Aurum Nostrum has me confused about my feelings for it. On one hand, it is loaded with good melodies, intricately woven among layers of instrumentation, and on the other, it's a poorly produced album with weak vocals. I can remember a handful of parts on the album, but at the same time, I don't want to go back to continue acquainting myself with the rest of the disc. Everytime I listen to this, when the musicans all come together to play a thick passage, I just wish they could have afforded a better production. That could have turned out like a melodic wall of sound, and it would have been awesome. Unfortunately, we're treated with a production that does little justice to the quality of the compositions. They are completely stripped of the atmosphere that would really bring out the textures they try to create. The band is trying to draw a colorful picture, but they only have an 8-pack of Crayola crayons (or markers) to do it. Hence, it just doesn't turn out the way it could have. And what's the deal with that unnaturally quick fade at the end of the record? Who's decision was that? Either way I'm not pleased! The vocals are also simply unappealing. The ideas are all well and good, but the vocalists just don't have any charisma. They sound dull and they lack variety. But when the band lets loose, we're treated to all of whats missing from the vocals. I could really enjoy this album, and I did for the first few listens, but when you look around you'll realize that this album just falls short of being the album it threatens to be. There's a lot to enjoy, but you'll have to come to terms with the sound. Also, it is a little too long. Good effort, so-so result.