SPHERE

4.5 stars. I'm such a big fan of heavy instrumental music so it's no surprise I've been reaching for MONKEY3's latest "Sphere" a lot over the past few weeks. They remind me a lot of Germany's LONG DISTANCE CALLING, that heavy Post- Rock style with MONKEY3 bringing more of that Psychedelia to the table. Mostly because of the David Gilmour-like guitar. A lot of soaring leads but man can this guy let it rip, just a light show at times. But you also hear that FLOYD sound before 5 minutes on the opener with just the bass and atmosphere. Check it out after 8 minutes I mean that's Gilmour right?

Love the layers of sound on this album, the depth coming from the four members with bass, keyboards, drums and guitar. Back to that opener "Spirals" it's such a heavy trip. That native-like drumming before 7 minutes is awesome. Probably the track with the most PINK FLOYD nods and a top three out of the six here. I really like how each track starts slowly with experimental or spacey bits.

The next track "Axis" is also a top three and it's so inventive to begin with as it slowly builds. Heavy and spacey. The guitar starts to solo after 3 minutes and later is crying out. Check out the heavy riffs and mellotron-like sounds just before 6 minutes. Oh my! This! What a way to end it. "Prism" opens with sounds that echo before guitar expressions and keys roll in. Mellow. It kicks in with power at 2 minutes to an almost Doom-like sound. Slow too then it moves some before really picking up speed 4 minutes in as the guitar rips it up and the drums get busy. Intense as sounds howl. Back to the slower heavier stuff after 6 minutes and the guitar will be crying out over and over.

"Mass" is so interesting to start with those urgent pulses with slowly played piano over top. Heaviness with mellotron-like sounds take over before a minute the down-tuned guitar really brings MARS RED SKY to mind. Check out that rhythm section after 1 1/2 minutes. Kicking it now! Powerful stuff. "Ida" is the shortest at 4 1/2 minutes and it opens with spacey winds before bass joins in along with some atmosphere and guitar. It turns heavier before 2 minutes. Love that guitar solo starting before 3 minutes. I really like this one but...

My favourite and one of the best tracks of 2019 is "Ellipsis" a 14 plus minute Post-Rock/Psychedelic trip. Sounds echo and buzz as heavy beats drive it. Spacey sounds come in over top. It's after 5 minutes I'm jumping around as they amp it up a notch. Guitar is awesome! It settles right down before 7 minutes as the guitar steps aside. A slow build from here. Love that sound 8 1/2 minutes in then bang at 10 1/2 minutes they are crushing it. Vocals after 11 minutes. Does it get any better than this 12 minutes in as the guitar cuts in. A calm after 12 1/2 minutes to the end. Whew!

Man I've had this turned up very loud, especially that closer which is incredible. Gotta go 5 stars and now decide where I'm going to put it, Psychedelic or Post-Rock?