THE DEVOURING

Djam Karet is most known for their early albums: Reflections from the Firepool, Burning the Hard City and Suspension & Displacement. I have a feeling that the other albums are often overlooked, while they equally great and diverse.

Before the Devouring, I'd heard Reflectuions from the Firepool, Suspension & Displacement and A Night for Baku. I thought they were all great, but The Devouring made me appreciate the band even more, but I don't really know why. Probably because it's got some of their best songs on it (Lost but not Forgotten, Lights over Roswell and Old Soldier's Disease).

All of the DK characteristics are present on The Devouring, the rhytm section is as tight as ever and the solo's sound incredibly inspired. I also discovered this to be amazing music for a headphone listen. I noticed details and sounds that seemed not the be there before. Besides, the stereo esparation is absolutely great! Prog fans will certainly enjoy the extensive use of synthesizers, organ and mellotron (creating epic atmospheres), the signature drumming by Chuck Owen (with its many drum rolls and symbal crashes), and the wonderful guitarsolo's by Gayle Ellet and Mike Henderson. Henry Osborne on bass is excellent all the time and particularly shines on Lights over Roswell.

The Devouring is just one gem in the band's excellent catalogue, but it's certainly the best album I've heard of them and therefore a good point to start your exploration of the Djam Karet sound, which is often compared to King Crimson and Pink Floyd, but always very unique and never just a copy of their famous influences! If you their music didn't fit your taste in the past, maybe this highly melodic and versatile will do the trick for you.