ISILDURS BANE & PETER HAMMILL: IN DISEQUILIBRIUM

ISILDUR'S BANE is a Swedish symphonic chamber rock ensemble made up of seasoned musicians who present their thirteenth album, the first date of 1984. After the very good "In Amazonia" released in 2019, the group renewed its confidence with the illustrious and legendary leader of the VAN DER GRAAF GENERATOR group ... Mr. Peter HAMMILL. These Nordics usually invite celebrities like on the album "Colors Not Found in Nature" released in 2017 where Steve HOGARTH from the group MARILLION participated, or KING CRIMSON's drummer, Pat MASTELLO. This second cooperation is called "In Disequilibrium", it is presented in two very distinct and contrasting suites. The first with its eponymous title which is divided into three pieces perfectly bears his name, because we are in the presence of a Peter HAMMILL bubbling with verve, a voice that carries everything in its path with uncompromising tonic and aggressive pitches that transfigure and literally unbalance this symphony orchestra to transform it into a group of New Wave or even Punk, but each one keeping all its intrinsic specificities! The ensemble brings a surprisingly eclectic conglomerate with melodic themes mixed with organic textures, sumptuous orchestral details leading to sometimes dissonant rhythmic counterpoints in the company of sinuous guitar arrangements and analytically sumptuous synths.

The second plot, which is divided into four pieces entitled "Gently", will become lyrical and peaceful to make the listener travel slowly in gloomy plains where the joy of living will have almost disappeared. And as a companion of pain, the atmosphere, the electronic environment, various and varied sound effects and tones such as wooden tubes, a xylophone, multiple brass instruments, a violin, a piano, grandiose cinematic effects, a few keys of mellotron and synths do you want ... The song is a little rarer and less virulent but will present a carnal aspect engaging in afflictive expressionism which will show us a rather dark and theatrical picture ... at the height of his 73 years, the boss is still at the top of his game, he delivers here a voice that has retained all of his youth and continues to transmit his emotions to us still so vivid with a range almost unchanged but slightly more serious like a good Bordeaux "Grave" wine which would have aged well. Why New wave and Punk ...? Because there is in it! Like the orchestration, these two genres only appear in Peter HAMMILL's voice for the "In Deliquibrium" part. Some notes of trumpet and bamboo begin the "1/1", KING CRIMSON guitar chords combined with an avant-garde orchestration with the sharpened organ of our cantor deliver energetic intonations with some resemblances to BONO from U2 premier period or also of Peter MURPHY de BAUHAUS. Feeling of imbalance when listening to this first piece? Surely ... but an admirably ordered and efficient mess (8.5 / 10)!

On the "1/2" we are sent a "punky" voice which vociferates with an incredible verve and aplomb, at times it coos and it sings silently and happily in chorus. The instruments are numerous, the punctual but effective guitars and generously bright synths, surrounded by a djembe and bamboos nourishing a sound river at high speed. The end will be calm and "Vang'lisque" (8/10). The "1/3" begins gently with beautiful woody brass which will serve as an introduction to the theatrical song of our star, this recitative will be repetitive and will be accompanied by a thousand fires resounding like a perfectly controlled cacophony to progress gradually to a point culminating where the song appears as a soft delivery in perfect harmony with the instrumentation. An excellently crafted piece with technicality and talent! (9/10). Let's move on to the second part with "Gently (Step by Step)" where the agitation falls back to more reasonable levels. "2/1" is a short interlude where the wind blows and is activated in cadence until the keys of a silky and peaceful piano, a xylophone and a trumpet will bring a little more to this successful cinematic work! (7.5 / 10). The vocal impression on the 2/2 makes me think of the Quebecois group CIRKUS, for its solemn side articulated with slowness and its arrogant and a little annoying "so britsh" tone .... The instrumental edges remain classy and definitively high levels , but the general result is a bit far-fetched ... a performance that leaves me unmoved (6/10).

"2/3" is a short atmospheric piece where we can hear a saxophone playing deep bass on "mellotron" atmospheres letting us navigate in serenity and contemplation (7/10). Cinematically the "2/4" is the most remarkable ... with its explosions, its childish laughter and its particularly well constructed depths of field and performed by sound effects and instruments of all kinds. This somewhat pompously sung symphony reminds me of the BEATLES under morphine, with a hymn that becomes monotonous and somewhat dissenting. The instrumental chords here are of rare beauty with an apotheosis point at 6:31 where the very essence of this highly elaborated album lies. If, like me, you tend to listen at high decibels, I advise you to remove your headphones before 7:48 ...! (9.5 / 10). This cake was written during confinement and was born after 14 months of gestation, a long enough time to create texts that hold the verses well, complex chords to penetrate at will into the register of Prog and detailed sounds for to grab an extraordinary voice. Now the challenge is no longer on the side of the musicians because the mission has been perfectly accomplished but on that of the listener. He will have to listen several times and with a lot of attention to understand all the subtleties that abound in this pancake with savory and sweet flavors. The production is flawless, nothing has been left to chance, there is no doubt that we are in the presence of great professionals. The audiophile in search of high fidelity recording will appreciate this one. "In Desiquilibrium" remains in line with the previous album "In Amazonia" in terms of quality. Don't hesitate to hang on to these very talented funanbulists!