DARKSPACE LTD.

I've seen Zenden Greenpurp do a number of gigs in Reading and London in 2024, and they really have been fantastic experiences. Their music is fast, slow, loud, quiet, serious and ridiculous. All at the same time, but not in the same time signature. The first track on Darkspace is Black Album Cover, which begins with a dark brooding menace that quickly escalates into some quite terrifying vocal theatrics. A short instrumental passage is then followed by what sounds like a descent into madness. The pace then quickens and the excitement builds. Synth makes a surprise appearance, and then the excitement really builds. But suddenly there's a pause, as the vocalist opines "there is no other way, except forwards". And then for the climax, and what a climax! I'm sitting here with my headphones on and waves of sound are coming at me from all directions, one after the other. Exhilarating. Beautiful Dead Eyes is the shortest track on the EP, and it certainly continues the theme of atmospheric menace. I've no idea what any of this is actually about, but understanding poetry has never been my strong point. The third and final track is Void Observation Technician, and it's my personal favourite. It does take a few listens to really appreciate. It starts with an ominous drumbeat and then the tempo suddenly quickens and then the guitars come in. Then the vocals hit and we're away! This is extreme prog and I'm loving it. And then, just when you're settling into some melody, we are thrusted back into mania. It finishes with a quirky "tum te tum te tum". Is that a nod to Genesis? I would categorise Zenden Greenpurp as "progressive melodrama". I think that bands like this are pushing the boundaries of prog and I want more.