STORM SEASON

3.5 stars.The picture on the cover of the album gives us a clue to what is inside. Dark, melancholic music with surprising heaviness throughout. I love the instrumental work on this album and their heavy sound. I'm not too fond of the vocals that for me don't seem to suit the music. It's funny because when I listen to this record after not hearing it for months i'm turned off by those vocals, then after a couple of more listens I guess I get used to the vocals all over again. Cool to see WOBBLER's own Lars Froislie on the various keyboards including mellotron.

The first song "Chemical Sunset" begins with an ominous sounding flute followed by mellotron then the main melody comes in followed by vocals. Some heaviness after 3 1/2 minutes as flute plays over top. Vocals are back after 4 minutes.The heaviness returns after 6 minutes. An excellant start. "Sally Left" opens with some atmosphere as the vocals come in. Cello after 2 minutes. A great sound when it kicks in at 3 minutes. Love the guitar. A calm with mellotron before 4 1/2 minutes and the vocals return at 5 minutes. Another great track. "Endless Science" is mellow with acoustic guitar and vocals. It's ok I guess.

I love the heaviness of "Soulburn", male and female vocals work well together, while the cello and guitar impress. Nice chunky bass after 4 minutes. I like the guitar after 5 minutes too. Heavy riffs come and go. "Insomnia" opens with soft vocals and piano before hammond organ comes in.The song kicks in with drums. A dark heavy sound 1 1/2 minutes in. Check out the guitar before 3 1/2 minutes and the mellotron 4 minutes in. Nice. It calms right down with mellotron to end it. "Storm Season" is all about the vocals but i'm not really a fan of this one. "Nightside Of Eden" has a nice organ solo, piano, good guitar riffs, mellotron, and you can hear it raining part way through as well. Excellent track.

I really like the direction they have gone for this record, although there are a couple of tracks i'm not too fond of.