VAAYA AND THE SEA

UKOG, or The National Orchestra Of The United Kingdom Of Goats to give them their full name, are a heavy alternative progressive rock quartet from Bolzano, Italy. The members prefer to remain anonymous, and use costumes and pseudonyms so all we are sure of is that the band comprises 'The Admiral' (guitars, vocals), 'The Coachman' (bass, background vocals), 'The Seer' (drums) and 'The Insane' (electronics). Now, one might imagine that the music they are providing is highly experimental and almost unlistenable, but in reality what we have here is an album of incredible depth and emotion that is accessible the very first time it is played and just keeps growing on the listener each time after that.

They are bringing together elements of Porcupine Tree, Mars Volta, Radiohead, Muse, Pink Floyd and so many more to create a soundscape that is powerful and hard hitting, yet also with a depth and delicacy so that it seems like the musical notes may shatter like a pane of glass if treated too roughly. There are time changes, staccato moves to break up the serenity, strident guitars to take over from the keyboards, but always there is a continuity and direction that keeps the music moving forward. Always moving forward, progressing towards the goal.

This, their full-length debut album, came out towards the end of 2012 so let's hope that they will soon return with another as this is superb. www.ukog.net