AURUM NOSTRUM

This album from Sinkadus represented my return to prog rock after quite some period I thought that the genre would not exist any longer. It was triggered by a CD catalogue from Cyclops that my prog mate showed me altogether with the CD Sampler from the same label. I was amazed with list of prog bands - most of the names I was not aware of - were available producing modern prog albums. One track in the CD Sampler was "Manuel" by Sinkadus. It's a great track. Based on this track I then ordered this album and its live version direct from Cyclops. It's a purchase decision that I never regret afterwards. Sinkadus music is solid, dark, and intermittent, combining symphonic prog style and classical music. Influences from other bands include: early Genesis, Van der Graff Generator, and ELP. For those who like flute and cello works would probably enjoy this album.

Snalblast opens the album with a soft touch of flute-work accompanied with guitar fills. The music suddenly turns abruptly into a staccato ELP-like style where the intertwining punchy organ, drums and bass brings the music into a rather complex textures. What follow is a quieter passage exploring soft flute in classical music style in relatively slow tempo. There are lots of tempo changes as the music sometime turns into faster one with excellent drumming and dynamic bass lines. Yeah, I observe that the bass player has contributed his work excellently with various styles and inventive maneuver. This song offers relatively long instrumental part prior to lyrical part (non English). Structure-wise, it's relatively a complex composition as I cannot grab clearly which the heads and the tails. Mellotron sounds used quite a lot throughout the song and they serve two purposes: first, to project a dark nuance and second, to give symphonic nuance of the song. The song contains a lot of beautiful transition pieces especially through flute / cello as well as guitar fills. The only music segment that sounds bit annoying for me is the part on approximately minute [9:30] when the organ solo takes the melody part augmented with dynamic bass guitar. The melody produced by the organ sounds annoying for my personal taste and it does not seem to fit with the music textures. Overall, it's a good composition.

Manuel starts beautifully with a long sustain keyboard sounds backed up by drums and bass guitar in relatively slow tempo. The music flows smoothly with keyboard taking the lead melody accompanied with solid and inventive bass lines, and excellent drumming. The flute enters the music melodically and it projects a heavy influence of classical music. The time signature when the flute enters its first sound into the music is truly excellent - it happens unexpectedly but at a very right timing. This part is killing me. The non-English voice lines have made a unique and attractive sounds. So many segments in this song that have catchy melodies like this part. For example when guitar fills some transition pieces, or the dynamic and solid play of bass guitar that help accentuate the song, or the mellotron sounds at background that provide symphonic nuance, or the combination of flute, mellotron, bass and drums that produces great sound. It all sum up into a wonderful composition that has made the song truly enjoyable and it has become my all-time favorite. True masterpiece!

Agren has similar style with previous track: dark, symphonic, classical and performed in relatively slow tempo. Again, the combination of flute, guitar, bass, mellotron and organ is superb. The composition is heavier than Manuel as it has some variations of combined melodies between vocals, guitar, and organ - sometimes with an unexpected or even abrupt change. The exploration of flute augmented with organ and guitar produces heavy mood of classical music. Drums contribute noticeably throughout the song as the sounds appear obviously.

Attestupan starts off with a soft guitar fills followed with drum beats in crescendo, brings the music into a symphonic style with mellotron sounds at the back in a faster tempo. Again, I observe the bass lines are so inspiring and inventive. The drumming part is also excellent. As with other tracks, this concluding track is also heavy in the use of flute. But most of flute work is not similar with those like Jethro Tull or Focus, it's much softer. The organ work of this song in some parts remind me to ELP. It's another excellent track offered by the band.

SUMMARY

Overall, it's an enjoyable prog music with dark nuance and heavy influence of classical music. This album would appeal those who like early Genesis - even though you will hardly find its close similarity, but in some segments you can sense them especially through guitar fills in some transitions and mellotron sounds. Also for those who like Van der Graff Generator especially on the singing style and some musical segments. ELP influence can de found in transitions with staccato styles - it's very close with Keith Emerson's style. For me personally, this album is relatively heavy - it's not as accessible as typical symphonic prog music. Overall rating 4 ¼ out of 5 stars. Recommended! Keep on proggin' .!!!

Yours progressively,

GW