OFFERING PART III / PART IV

OFFERING are back 4 years later with their second release and not much has changed. I think I like this a little more than the first one but once again it's the piano and vocals that steal the spotlight. This time we have Emmanual Borghi (MAGMA, ONE SHOT) on piano for the over 44 minute opening track and he doesn't disappoint. I have to say though that the vocals of Christian and Stella Vander are really what makes this recording so special. Once again it's dedicated to Christian's hero John Coltrane, and Vander gives him his all here.

"Another Day" is the over 44 minute highlight reel. Would love to see this performed live in it's entirety. It opens with piano melodies before female (Stella) vocals arrive around a minute. It kicks in with drums before 1 1/2 minutes. Christian comes in vocally a minute later as it settles some. Contrasts will continue. Stella is back trading vocals with Christian. So much passion in their vocals. This is so much fun. It starts to calm down around 13 minutes. Christian offers up some vocal melodies after 14 minutes for about 5 minutes as the piano and drums continue in an almost dissonant manner. The piano stops after 21 minutes but drums continue. The earlier melody is back and so is Christian 23 minutes in. Nice bass here. It settles back and we get some percussion. Piano before 26 minutes then the tempo picks up. Vocals stop as dissonant piano takes over. A dead calm 29 minutes in then it starts to rebuild. Flute before 31 1/2 minutes as piano then vocals come to the fore. Stella's back too, as well as the drums. Stella and Christian battle again vocally. Great sound 37 1/2 minutes in as we get that full sound. Christian keeps shouting "Good God y'all" (haha). Too much fun ! It settles around 41 minutes with Stella's vocal melodies, piano and drums. Wow!

"Ehn Deiss" opens with piano as Christian comes in vocally. Stella after 2 1/2 minutes takes over. Flute before 4 minutes then dual vocals end it. A mellow track. "Offering (2)" is led by drums and piano as Stella comes in, and she does get threatrical.

I mentioned how pleasantly surprised I was with their debut on that review, well this might even be better. Highly recommended to MAGMA fans out there.