ULTIMA THULE

4.5 stars. THULE are a band from Norway who play a dark and heavy brand of progressive music. I've thought about getting their music for years but the low ratings always held me back. I should have known better and checked these guys out long ago. I mean dark and heavy is my favourite stye of music. I was glad to see "infandous" mention the RUSH flavour in his review because I noticed that fairly quickly mostly with the lead guitar work. Interesting that they show 8 songs on this disc, yet on my stereo it shows only 2 long tunes. And it's very difficult to know when one starts and the other ends so i'll review it as two side long tracks. I should mention the vocals are sung in their native Norwegian language.

Side one starts off with the wind blowing strongly as spoken words come in after a minute. A guitar line is repeated as synths and drums take over. Great sound 3 1/2 minutes in. Vocals follow and then the tempo picks up after 5 1/2 minutes. The bass is excellent and a beautiful guitar solo comes in after 6 minutes. Check out the bass and drums 9 minutes in ! Spoken words join in. The guitar reminds me of Lifeson here and then vocals return after 11 minutes. Great sound after 14 minutes. Drums and bass throb as the guitar solos over top. Vocals are powerful. A calm follows then drums start to lead the way as vocals join in. Check it out 18 1/2 minutes in as the organ and drums dominate with the guitar forcing it's way in.

Side two opens with synths and drums as vocals join in this this spacey atmosphere. The vocals get passionate before 5 minutes. A change after 6 1/2 minutes to an almost PINK FLOYD-like spacey soundscape. The guitar sounds so good before 8 1/2 minutes. A calm 10 minutes in then the drums come and go in flurries followed by some ripping guitar. Incredible ! The bass is huge here. Vocals before 11 1/2 minutes then there's that Lifeson-like guitar again as some fat bass lines and background synths fill out the sound. Guitar solo before 16 1/2 minutes. It turns dreamy before 18 minutes. Acoustic guitar and a calm follow. Organ floats in. Spoken words come in as the wind starts to blow just like the beginning of our trip.

Can't wait to check out some other releases from this band.