RIPPLES

I really like this debut release from Aspera. The level of musical ability on display is very impressive and is put to very good effect. The album features some wonderfully fluid and very melodic guitar passages where the music positively soars. There are also some great keyboard led sections which form spectacular arial bridges between verses and choruses as well as given the guitar a springboard to launch from. Of course the other musicians all perform with equal ability and produce a wonderfully tasty final blend.

I gather that Aspera are a very young band as well as being a new band. You would, as I do, find that hard to believe at times given the maturity and assuredness with which they have composed the 10 tracks on this album. There will be comparisons with established masters of the prog metal genre, which would be justified, but this is a band that have roads to travel and promises to keep. If they can keep up this level of output on future releases then this debut will be the dawn of something very special indeed. I look forward to more from these guys.

An excellent release which deserves a home on the shelves of any prog music collection.