DROGA

4.5 stars. This might be my favourite VESPERO album beating out "Surpassing All Kings". A very cool closeup of a leaf is the album cover and the cd cover is made out of recycled cardboard. Three guests help out adding vocals, cello, flute and soprano sax.

"Steppe" begins sounding like we are in the Middle East as voices and flute join in. I really like the mood and atmosphere here until it changes 4 minutes as it kicks into gear. It settles back into more of a spacey groove after 5 minutes then back to the Middle Eastern sound 9 minutes in. "Maui" has a steady beat with guitar notes that seem to dance around the soundscape. It turns intense after 2 minutes but then quickly becomes uplifting with mellotron. The drumming impresses as usual plus we get some cello helping out. "Red Pitfalls" has a FLOYD-like vibe as the guitar makes spacey sounds while the drums and bass support. Beautiful stuff. Some nice guitar before 4 minutes then the sound turns spacey a minute later as it settles back. A Post-Rock flavour to the guitar after 6 minutes then the cello kicks in. "Oboo" features electronics and a spacey atmosphere early on then the drums and bass arrive. Such a feel-good vibe here. Flute before 1 1/2 minutes and I have to say that the guitar sounds really good here. "Thymus" has Post-Rock styled guitars to start then it settles into an excellent guitar led groove. Contrasts continue. Almost a Scandinavian mood after 2 minutes and the guitar recalls "Damnation" by OPETH. Another change after 4 1/2 minutes as we get this heavenly sound, just gorgeous. More Post-Rock styled guitar before 7 minutes.

"Halo" has lots of atmosphere with guitar and electronics then the tempo picks up around a minute in. A spacey calm 4 1/2 minutes in with twittering sounds and more going on. The electronics stop around 6 minutes as picked guitar only takes over then it builds. Love the drumming as usual. "Marine" opens with drums as it starts to build with some spacey guitar and sounds. This is so good. Nice bass lines here as well. A change before 4 minutes as it picks up and then the synths and guitar become more of the focus. I do prefer the earlier sound. They are kicking butt late to end it. "Frozen Lillies(Melt In Heaven)" has a PORCUPINE TREE-like spacey atmosphere to start then the tempo picks up around a minute and it's fuller. A spacey calm arrives 3 minutes in but it's brief as an intense drum/bass section kicks in with spacey synths. I like it! Guitar comes to the fore after 5 minutes to the end. "Droga" opens with mellotron and intricate sounds and there is plenty of atmosphere early on. Female vocal melodies arrive 2 1/2 minutes and they are a nice touch. It picks up before 5 1/2 minutes with the guitar soloing slowly over top as the drums and electronics support. Sax a minute later. Nice.

Man this is close to 5 stars but not yet, still this band has been a revelation to me over the years and they never disappoint.