ZONE SIX / VESPERO: ‎THE SPLIT THING

A truly international production, "The Split Thing" is an album divided between German space rock veterans ZONE SIX and Russian space rock band VESPERO. The former a rather loose band constellation with a history going back to the late 90's and with 8 CD and CD-R releases to their name, the latter a more structured group with a history that started back in 2003 and a total of 7 full length productions to their name. And in spirit with the international context of their joint effort, this CD was released by Swedish label Transubstans Records in the spring of 2012.

After investigating this production a bit, it is clear that we're dealing with two bands complementing each other fairly well in this case. They both share certain features: Both bands are all instrumental on this occasion, their compositions have a strong improvisational trait to them, and both bands are undeniably space rock in sound and style. But with some differences in expression that adds a nice touch to this disc.

Vespero are represented by three tracks that each clock in well before the 10 minute mark, and their excursions are marked by defined alterations in sound throughout. Rather than merely developing from one theme or lead motif over to the next one, this is a band that explore a theme or an idea, steadily developing it, and then moving on to the next one if they have an approach at hand that fits into the overall context or utilizing ambient interludes as they occasionally do to good effect on a few occasions. Otherwise their expression is one that employ the lighter parts of the tone range extensively, where careful guitar soloing combine with keyboard and organ motifs, while the flute is given room for details of a more careful nature. A dampened but tight rhythm section beneath cater for pace and intensity nice and efficiently. Generally Vespero choose to develop a theme from a slower careful start towards an energetic, high impact final phase prior to shifting themes, or to conclude the piece in question. Well made and well performed music through and through, lighter in tone and spirit than many other space rock bands but without ever loosing touch with the rock part of the proceedings.

Zone Six' contribution marks a distinct difference right away, as this is a monster excursion clocking in at just over 24 minutes. And unlike Vespero, Zone Six has the approach of one steadily developing theme towards a final conclusion. In the initial phase of their track here they have an intermediate phase where the first approach defragments and they jam along a bit until heading off into a new direction, this one sticking until the end. They don't utilize the more distinct shifts of their discmates, instead opting for a more directly improvised solution. Zone Six also employ a darker, gritter and harder edged sound with less room for keyboards, dominated by dark toned, compact and fairly gritty guitar riffs and backed by a rhythm section with a distinctly massive footprint. Synth effects and resonating guitar details cater for the space part quite nicely, and their gritty sound won't leave anyone questioning their rock credentials.

Of the two I found Vespero to be slightly more interesting on this occasion. While I generally enjoy Zone Six overall sound better, their piece here gets to be somewhat too long and uniform to make a markedly strong impression: Good quality space rock but without any elements to it that elevates it above similar efforts by others. Fans of the style and this particular expression will of course love this epic length space romp, and it isn't lacking anything in quality as such. Vespero's contributions are somewhat more varied in scope and expression, and they also leave room for finer details to appear. This adds a somewhat more refined feel to their undertakings, as well as arguably broadening the overall appeal ever so slightly.

All in all a good album for fans of instrumental space rock of the improvisational kind, and with two bands sporting somewhat different approaches to this type of music the scope and variation is broader than what standalone band productions of this kind tend to be as well. A good quality production that should please both avid and more casual fans of this style.

4.5 stars. "The Split Thing" is a collaboration between Germany's ZONE SIX and Russia's VESPERO where they offer us about 24 minutes each of their own studio time to come up with some delicious Space Rock. This isn't one of those live events where both played on stage together or anything like that, this is strictly what they came up with in their own studios. And man it's like they were trying to one-up each other, such a high quality release. This is right in my wheelhouse as far as VESPERO goes as this was released in 2012 and my top three albums from them are 2009's "Surpassing All Kings", 2010's "By The Waters Of Tomorrow" and 2013's "Droga". Just a big fan of their sound with the flute and mellotron and they're a bigger band than ZONE SIX who are led by David Schmidt AKA Sula Bassana playing guitar and adding FX here. Komet Lulu adds bass and did the cover art and some beauty. Hey she's a talented girl and one of the founding members of ELECTRIC MOON. Martin Schorn on synths is amazing and we get a drummer.

My first couple of spins had me giving ZONE SIX the win as far as what I liked the best but that changed after many listens. While ZONE SIX adds one long repetitive but flavourful track VESPERO divided their 24 minutes into three songs and I love these tunes man.

"Babapapatantramanta" is the closer and the ZONE SIX track that opens with electronics twittering and pulsing before guitar joins in this spacey and experimental intro. Beats and a dark, heavy sound take over before a minute with spacey synths. Crunchy bass here, I mean ground shaking in this mid paced tempo. The guitar starts to solo over top after 5 minutes followed by guitar expressions. A calm 9 minutes in as the sounds echo in a powerful soundscape. It picks up again after 11 minutes, just crushing it before winding down around 21 minutes in.

VESPERO opens the album with "Nullus" and that opening guitar sure sounds like one of the IRON MAIDEN guys, that tone just sounds so pleasant. Percussion and more support before a second guitar joins in but that changes when the organ starts to lead. I'm just so into this. Nice bass here too but the organ stands out before being replaced by the synths. Organ is back late. "Clouds" opens with electronics, drums and melancholic flute. The guitar replaces the flute with soaring leads. So many beats here too. A couple of calms will follow and the electronics from the intro come and go and the flute returns late.

"Lifeless Pillars" opens with Post-Rock styled guitars that step aside fairly quickly returning late to end it. Drums and spacey synths join in then the guitar becomes intricate and synths will then lead the way. A calm with mid-paced sequencers is cool but that warmth before 7 minutes when the leave is nice.

Man close to 5 stars and one of my favourites in this style. I'm looking forward to reviewing ZONE SIX's first live record this Summer.