WORLDS

"Worlds" is a fun sophomore effort from the Providence Rhode Island-based 3-piece band, Ebu Gogo. Ebu Gogo was formed as an offshoot project of the band "Gruvis Malt" by Justin Abene (Bass), Gavin Castleton (Keyboards), and Brendan Bell-Leonard (Drums). I probably would've given this album 3 stars if there was less filler and more of their definitive sound on the tracks. I feel like It could've been an album with only 10-13 songs instead of 20 or they could've grouped some songs together. The band has a super unique sound of a combination of Heavy Prog that sounds like a video game soundtrack. There are a lot of catchy songs on the albums yet there are so many complex songs with odd time signatures and rhythmic intensity.

The album wastes no time getting right into an intense opener with the ELP-ish "Torch of the Olympiad." This is about as Progressive as the song titles get on the album. Most of the song titles on here are ridiculously hilarious, resembling those of "Yezda Urfa." The synthesizer work on "DsurfNA" is really great, coupled with a lot of rhythmic intensity. The best instrument on this album is by far the bass though. Justin Abene's work is impeccable. "Neo-Uranium Mattress" is very Daft Punk-Esque and is filled with spectacular Moog work from Gavin Castleton along with amazing bass lines.

The fifth track "Waterworld 1" is the beginning of the Waterworld suite on this album. It features some epic distorted Fender Rhodes and is very complex. Definitely one of the better cuts on the album. "Training Montage" is a 1:20 minute blast of a proggy version of the Rocky soundtrack which I just love. The hilariously titled "Late Due to Sweatpants Boner" is another very short proggy yet very catchy tune. I feel like with all of the ludicrous song titles there needs to be some lyrics, but since they are all so short I guess it would be a bit redundant.

Side 2 opens with the prog metal song "Son of the Rancher of Neverland" which goes through some crazy time signatures and ideas. It is also about 4 minutes which is long for this album and is a massive highlight. "British Knights in Miami" goes through a few late Genesis passages that are pretty nice. The 58-second "Pomp-Adorned" is another total video game song just with some very cool bass lines.

"Waterworld (2, 3, and 4)" are all under 3 minutes and combine for a total of 7 minutes. They are not too similar to part 1 and feature a less prominent Fender Rhodes, though it is still there in the background. Part 4 especially contains a few very impressive musical sections. The closer, "Aussie Chips" is by far the longest on the album at 9:00. It is also by far the worst song. Filled with 5 MINUTES STRAIGHT of silence. Super disappointing.

Overall an album that I would recommend to fans of progressive metal and video game music. A lot of really good stuff on here even though it is a little long-winded and has some filler. With albums such as "The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway," there is a story to be told thus the number of tracks, but the filler on this album is just that. Still a fun album, and also a really cool cover.