CRYING OF THE WHALES

ABARAX are a band out of Northern Germany who play in the PINK FLOYD style ("Division Bell") in fact in the liner notes they thank "PINK FLOYD for inspirations and a music style we miss so much". The theme of this record is the whale and how man seems bent on destroying it's existance. I have to say that I love the first three tracks on here, the atmosphere and soaring guitar sound so good. The second half of the album has these more straightforward songs that do little for me.

"Crying Of The Whales Part I" has lots of atmosphere with a beat and soaring guitar.Vocals join in after a minute as themes are repeated over this 10 minute track. It ends in a spacey manner. "Journeys End" opens with whale sounds as synths then guitar join in.Vocals before 2 minutes. Drums after 3 minutes then the guitar comes to the fore when the vocals stop before 5 minutes. "Whale Massacre" opens with violin as these solemn vocals join in. Guitar takes over with atmosphere. It kicks in after 6 minutes with vocals and drums.The guitar solos after 9 minutes as the vocals stop.The guitar becomes passionate after 10 1/2 minutes. Nice.

"Part Of Evolution" has a spacey start and vocals join in before 1 1/2 minutes. "Natures Voice" is one I can't get into especially when the vocals and organ lead before a minute. It does get better though. "Point Of No Return" opens with crickets? and water sounds.The music kicks in quickly, vocals too.This reminds me of AYREON. Not a fan. "All These Walls" has spoken words early and whale sounds as strummed guitar and vocals take over. It finally kicks in before 6 minutes. "Crying Of The Whales Part II" starts well with the atmosphere and random drum patterns. Spoken words and music follow 1 1/2 minutes in. Vocals followed by soaring guitar follows.

I did tire of the message here and felt the second half was much weaker than the first, but overall I liked this record.