1975 TRIPTYCH

'1975 Triptych' is a wonderfully constructed experience by Irish prog rock band, M-Opus. It's very ambitious and encompasses a wide array of influences that gel together incredibly well. But, let's forget the fact that this record was released in 2015. The band's idea is to recreate the atmosphere of 1975; their tendency to make an album that is on par with the records released in that year puts them in position where Wish You Were Here, The Snow Goose, Caress of Steel, Warrior on the Edge of Time, Godbluff, Free Hand, and dozens of other high-class records, receive a fairly good competition with M-Opus' debut full-length.

As its name suggests, '1975 Triptych' is comprised of three songs, with a monster 34-minute centrepiece 'Different Skies.' These three songs are enough show that the album is intelligent without being too self-indulgent, something that is rare in today's progressive music.

The experimental inclinations in the band's music bring up a special King Crimson influence, what perhaps can be attributed to the fact that singer and keyboardist Jonathan Casey played and toured with violinist David Cross (ex-King Crimson).

'Different Skies' develops slowly, and is enough to go on to make you feel good. The song works as a haunting piece that encapsulates what M-Opus will sound like from here on out. That's easy to conclude that 'Different Skies' is the stand out track on the album. It's a spiralling prog song that constantly adds to itself throughout and flows fast. The closing 'Wasps' follows the familiar suit '1975 Triptych' sets out and closes the album well. It's pushed more towards the spiritually dark music than its predecessors.

All in all, '1975 Tritych' is really something interesting and, I would say, special. The album is expansive, and as noted above it succeeds in its mission to capture the spirit of records released 40 years ago. We may not have founded the time machine yet, but we still have music as the best medium to travel. Grab it now.