PALACE OF MIRRORS

3.5 stars. I'm one of those music fans who constantly is putting new music I buy in a pile, to get to later. Organized piles now, but years ago not so much. Often it will be years later before I get to hear them. So it was funny my first go around with this album in 2019, forgetting who this band even was, and assuming from the band's name, cover art, and title of this record that this must be Prog-Metal. Nope! There's probably that sub-genre in it though as ASTRADASPHERE, like the SECRET CHIEFS 3, tries to combine as many styles as they can on a record, all in that strong middle eastern canopy. But yes country, surf, metal, jazz, klezmer, you name it, it's probably here.

And as I've said before, this is incredibly impressive to hear, but I don't like it at all. I was surprised that the sax player John Whooley got off the bus before this record. He was on their first three, but we get over 20 musicians guesting here, so that horn is covered and then some. I have the debut and this final one by them but not the two in between. I much prefer this to the debut as they decided to ditch the vocals which were at times extreme on that debut.

This is just easier on the ears. It's like comparing SECRET CHIEFS 3's "Book M" with their "Book Of Horizons" record. The latter album is more extreme and difficult which leaves me favouring "Book M" even though I'm still not all in on that one by a long shot. I'm not all in on "Palace Of Mirrors" either but I think it's their best based on opinions. This was released in 2008 and it must have seemed like a long way from when they released that debut in 2000 and then went on their first North American tour opening for SECRET CHIEFS 3.

There are two standout songs for me, the "Flower Garden Of An Evil Man" and the closer "The Return", but this is an uneven album for my tastes, but very entertaining at the same time. They brokeup after this one, but some of these musicians have kept very busy with the SECRET CHIEFS 3 and it's satellite bands.