AURUM NOSTRUM

Since I joined this site, in 2004, I have often heard this band mentioned, mainly in glowing tones, as successors to Anglagard. Well, I never heard anything by them until last week, when I bought this album through the excellent GFT mail order service, getting it for the princely sum of £3.50, after discounts. I took a chance as I had never heard anything by them before. I had only heard one track from Anglagard, I think it was called Jordrok, or something like that. And that didn't impress me much, sounding laboured and unmelodic to my ears. Well, this album has reviews that vary in their rating from masterpiece to boring. The truth, as is so often the case, lies somewhere between. It is certainly no masterpiece, and does remind me of the Anglagard track. In fact, the individual songs here are meaningless, they could all be condensed into one long song. Musically it does sound, in parts, like early Genesis, especially the organ and guitar work. The flute is Gabrielish in the quieter moments, yet reminds me also of Andy Latimer at times. Not Ian Anderson though. Now when Genesis did this type of thing, it was highly effective, and they were, and still are, my favourite band of all. Yet, although this has similarites, I do find it rather tedious and struggle to hear any memorable melodies anywhere. There is also a King Crimson feel to it, and of course, they were an influence on Genesis. Nevertheless, I have never been a lover of Mr Fripp's work. I can admire his talent, but his material doesn't do anything for me. The weakest part of the album, however, is the singing. Not because it is in Swedish, I indeed like the fact they sing in their native language, and I like Swedish bands a lot, but the voices themselves are so depressing, and melancholic in tone, that I find it a struggle to get through it. Of course, that type of singing is a plus to some listeners and I can see why some people would place this album high on their favourite lists. But, for me, while it isn't a bad, or boring album, it doesn't 'hit' me anywhere, and I find, whether I listen to it through headphones, or just quietly in the background, it doesn't stand out in any way, shape or form for me. Sorry I seem to against the majority here, but there is nothing new, fresh, or unique here, and, at the same time, neither is it a particulary successful parody of older times either. Decent, but not in any way essential. I doubt many could, if they didn't listen to it for a few days, recall any of the tracks as they all merge together. At least I know now not to fork out for any more of their music, or for any of Anglagard's either, if it is all similar to this.