ONCE THERE WAS A TIME WHEN SPACE AND TIME WERE ONE

An eagerly awaited new studio production from this super group means a lot of expectations. At first, there is a minor change concerning the line-up to state - Mathias Danielsson, Ronny Eriksson and Nicklas Barker are collaborating with drummer Daniel Fridlund Brandt since 2013. Although having a soft spot for such music but not being active in designated genre bands beforehand the foursome have worked hard for a reputation in the space rock scene. And then their previous 'I Wash My Soul In The Stream Of Inifinity', released in 2011, appeared like a bombshell, turned them into an asked live band furthermore.

When starting to listen, I thought of a mix-up with the 'Live At Roadburn 2013' recordings somehow. Both Song Of Innoscence parts as well as Into The Cosmic Halo are offering solid mid-tempo space rock with jam character, which seems familiar anyhow. Misty Mountainside cares for some stylistical change while including indo/raga with flute and congas. The album reaches for real strength then when passing into the second half. I mean the inspired, while gripping and hypnotic Garden Of Delights which shines with excellent electric guitar interplay and a melancholic mellotron drenched outro on top of it.

I would also count Epilogue to my favourites, which convinces - alongside with the title track - due to a vivid bass performance, once again equipped with Nicklas' heart-wrenching mellotron contributions. While failing to detect something essentially different or new, 'Once There Was A Time When Space And Time Were One' does not make progress really, can't reach for those surprising moments I could experience concerning the forerunner albums. Nevertheless, just in order to adjust the conditions a bit, this one is a good purchase anyhow, where you definitely can't do wrong.