MIND OVER DEPTH

Cosmograf is the project of multi-instrumentalist Robin Armstrong and his 2019 effort 'Mind Over Depth' should definitely be taken into consideration for listeners of progressive metal, alternative prog metal and neo-prog. I haven't listened to earlier efforts of this artist, but after this acquaintance Cosmograf has my attention, especially because of the earlier albums that are said to be closer to the neo-prog genre I often like.

This album mostly sounds to me like a Porcupine Tree album with an emphasis on broad symphonic landscapes and a lot of those absent-mindedness (or deeply spiritual if you will) vocals. The electric guitars riffs sound heavy and modern, though in a small production like this one will never get that mind-blowing 'oomph' or punch. Some of the darker riffs are really solid and have strong contribution to the post-apocalyptic feel of the music - especially in the second halve of the album. The pallet of modern electronic keyboard sounds is well chosen and recorded properly, giving the album a nice broad sound. Whereas Cosmograf doesn't use the keyboards for lead sounds they don't add much to the humanity of the music - for which individuality of performance is needed. Some of the themes, like the opening of 'A Million Choice' cast that sense of imminence - which I like. Some of the modern electronic sounds remind me a bit of Galahad, though the impact is different here.

Where the album doesn't succeed in arriving at where it clearly aims to get to is with the vocals of Armstrong. His voice often sounds like being on the brink of breaking down - forcing himself to sing precisely what this genre its rules prescribe; long wailing 'out there' lines in a high register. Most of the opening song is made a bit uneasy to listen to because of this. Its a pity, because his voice actually ain't that bad and way more personal when he sings shorter old-David-Bowie-like bursts (like on the verses of my favorite 'Sharks'). I also feel like he wants to imitate Marillion's Steve Hogarth on a song like 'Godspeed' of which his talents fall short. Mixing his voice down a bit and relieving himself from epical vocal duties would have helped here. I myself - for instance - like how a vocalist like Metamorphosis' Jean-Pierre Schenk deals with his limitations.

That said, I must say I imagine this album to be quite attractive to a lot of progressive rock listeners! I do dig the darker atmospheres cast on tracks like 'The Smoke and the Flame' and 'Sharks'. Furthermore, there's some nicety to metal infused neo-prog, whereas that magical dystopian vibe really resonates with the heavier guitars. I only wished the whole of the album would have sounded more like its (for me) stronger second halve.