THE APPROBATION

Debut album from this Norweigan band,and what a debut! I was amazed that Progarchives took so long to induct into reviews.I would say heavy prog/ scandi noir prog is appropriate for Avkrvst ( pronounced Awcrust) Considering where it was produced,the sound quality is pristine and every note is crystal clear as are the magnificent vocals. So let's get the comparisons out of the way; Porcupine Tree,Opeth,King Crimson,Dream Theater -all valid -but what I would say is Avkrvst are on a par with the very best output of those bands. Track Reviews: Track 1 is basically a very short intro Track 2; Pale Moon is very Opeth sounding.Mellotron chords at 1.57,and vocals arrive at 2.20.The track does get heavier at 5.13 and (thankfully) a very few 'growls' to close. 9.5/10 Track 3:Isolation has a heavy Dream Theater like intro and outro.Vocals at 3.16 resemble Porcupine Tree but the keyboards closing the track shine here.Another top track. 9.5/10 Track 4:The Great White River.A slower track with excellent vocals and keys.It becomes heavier at 3.37 and a gain a few growls.Good Track. 9/10 Track 5:Arcane Clouds.A very King Crimson like mellotron intro and vocals arrive at 1.44.Late Anekdoten vibes make this my top track and to get a sense of Avkrvst,listen here first. 10/10 Track 6: Anodyne: The first of 2 tracks over 10 minutes.This piece goes through a few changes -a very choral intro,becomes heavier then P. Tree like section at 4.45 before a straightforward symphonic finish from 7.26.The track never outstays its welcome 9/10 Track 7 : The Approbation.The longest track at 13.36.Another symphonic intro ( the keys are superb but understated throughout) which morphs int those Steven Wilson like distorted vocals.A Crimson like percussion is followed by Dream Theater like guitars at 5.50.At 7.45 the track changes to a symphonic closing sequence -a great synth section around 10 minutes and the track plays out symphonically.

Altogether a superb album which should be in this year's top 3.There are similarities to others,but others should aspire to this fantastic album.Alongside 'Impermanence' by Dominic Sanderson,this album is head and shoulders above all so far this year ( July 2023)