NO ONE'S WORDS

This might be EPHRAT's debut but they sure have some heavyweights helping them out. Omer Ephrat is the star here though, as well as the leader of this band playing guitar, organ and some flute. Steven Wilson who is no stranger when it comes to artists from Isreal mixed this album. Of course Steven is part of BLACKFIELD which features Aviv Geffin from Isreal, the drummer on this album is Tomer Z who played on the "Blackfield II" record. Other guests are Daniel Gildenlow who sings on one track, as well as Petronella from PAATOS who also lends her voice to one song. Interesting that this band has decided not to have that ethnic, middle Eastern vibe front and center like ORPHANED LAND or AMASEFFER.

"The Show" is a great song to open the album with. Once it gets going we get this nice guitar driven section, then vocals come in before 1 1/2 minutes as the sound gets heavier. After 2 1/2 minutes we get acoustic guitar and vocals only as it calms right down. It kicks back in as themes are repeated. Some good organ in this one as well. I really like this one. "Haze" certainly has a different feel to it with Petronella's beautiful vocals. She sings softly at first until the song kicks in and then she sings with passion. The contrast continues. I like the guitar before the heaviness returns with her processed vocals. Cello before 4 1/2 minutes. The tempo picks up after 6 minutes as they really "rock it". It ends gently with vocals to match. "Better Than Anything" opens with acoustic guitar as reserved vocals come in. Flute joins in with strummed guitar. The song kicks into gear 2 minutes in with guitar.This sounds awesome ! Love the heavy sound that follows. Check out the vocal melodies too. It sounds like mellotron before 5 1/2 minutes. Theatrical vocals before 6 1/2 minutes are cool. Organ with strummed guitar ends it. Next up is the instrumental "Blocked". It opens with a good heavy sound followed by ripping guitar and pounding drums. It settles around 3 minutes and then kicks back in before 4 minutes. Nice organ runs in this one.

"The Sum Of Damage Done" is fairly raw sounding once it gets going. Gildenlow's vocals match the soundscape here. He almost sounds like Doug from KING'S X, quite rough sounding. He's down to a whisper before 3 minutes as the organ floats in then acoustic guitar. The song kicks back in before 5 1/2 minutes. Killer section. I like the tasteful guitar late that goes on and on. "Real" is the 19 minute closer. It opens with strummed guitar as bass and organ join in. It turns heavy quickly though as drums pound away. A change after a minute as piano and vocals take over. Horns follow. This passage is really the only part of the album i'm not too thrilled about.The heaviness finally comes back though.Yay ! Sounds like mellotron after 5 minutes as it comes and goes. Some good riffs before 8 minutes. Vocals are back 13 minutes in. The tempo continues to change. Flute after 16 minutes.

A very solid 4 star album. I like this one a lot. Worth checking out if your into Heavy-Prog. Well done !