NOSTIMON HEMAR

This is the most recent release from these Greek Neo Proggers. If your into concept albums this is a very ambitious concept about a Greek odyssey as seen through a Greek poet's eyes. Each track is written about in detail in the liner notes so you can follow along.The band has changed their sound somewhat, becoming heavier but this is still Neo-Prog in case you were wondering.Usually when a band becomes heavier I like them better, but that's not always the case and this is a good example. I still hold their album "Shattered Image" up as my absolute favourite by them.

"Anakrourssis" is the instrhumental intro track that opens with atmosphere before kicking in just before a minute. It's heavier 2 1/2 minutes in. A calm a minute later with atmosphere as it blends into "Oenops Pontos". It starts to build and we get vocals for the first time after a minute.This sounds really good.These first two tracks are my favourites. "Lotus Eaters" kicks in with vocals quickly but the tempo shifts a lot on this one. Catchy stuff. "Polyphemus" opens with keys and synths as reserved vocals join in. It kicks in before 2 minutes fairly heavily. Piano and spoken words after 3 1/2 minutes. It kicks back in heavily 4 1/2 minutes in.Great sound before 6 minutes. "Circe" opens with atmosphere before becoming synth and vocal led.The organ is prominant after 4 minutes and the guitar follows.

"Tiresias" opens with atmosphere then it kicks in. "Nissos Sirinon" has a catchy rhythm but overall i'm not a fan. "Scylla And Charybdis" builds with vocals. It's nice and heavy before 3 minutes before it lightens with piano. "Calypso" has the focus on the vocals and it's fairly laid back. It does get fuller at times and we get some brief guitar late. "Phaeacia" opens with piano then vocals and a fuller sound follows. "Ithaca" is not the best closing track i've heard but it's okay.

A good album no doubt, but for me it's not a 4 star record. If your into concept albums in the heavy Neo-Prog style you'll want to check this out.