IRIDULE

Another excellent release from Italy's YUGEN as they offer up another fine album that recalls UNIVERS ZERO, MIRIODOR, 5UU'S and other Rio / Avant greats.This was recorded in Northern Italy and mastered by Udi Koomran in Isreal. I must admit I prefer their debut but I don't want to take anything away from this one because it's an incredible feast for the ears. Lots of guests helping out including Mike Johnson and Dave Willey from THINKING PLAGUE, Guy Segers from UNIVERS ZERO, Dave Kerman from 5UU'S and others.

"On The Brink" sounds like something off of "Heresie" it's so dark, intense and scary sounding. "The Scuffle Of The Past Out Of The Cupboards" is fairly bombastic early then it settles in quickly. It's intricate with a collage of sounds coming and going. Great sound after 1 1/2 minutes as it turns more powerful and dark. A calm with piano and atmosphere 2 1/2 minutes in. It's dark as a slow beat comes in then it kicks back in before 4 1/2 minutes. "Iridule" is mellow with almost spoken female vocals. "Overmurmer" features crisp drum work and other sounds including mellotron when it settles briefly. An eerie calm before 2 1/2 minutes with sparse piano and atmosphere. It kicks back in before 4 1/2 minutes with intricate sounds. Mellotron 7 minutes in then the tempo picks right up. Great sound. Another eerie calm after 8 minutes with violin.

"Scribbled" is a short haunting piece with female vocals. "Becchime" kicks in quickly with lots of intricate sounds. It turns heavy 2 1/2 minutes in as the intricate sounds continue and fight for the spotlight.This is interesting. "Ice" features reserved vocals with acoustic guitar standing out. "Ganascia" has more of those outbursts of intricate sounds. It's darker before 2 1/2 minutes.Violin later as it picks up. "Thaw" is melancholic with sad female vocals. "Serial(ist) Killer" features these female vocals that are almost spoken but fast paced.This reminds me of the 5UU'S actually. It turns haunting then intricate sounds return. Dissonant horns follow after 4 minutes. "Cloudscape" is my favourite track. Acoustic guitar as other sounds join in, then the piano leads before it kicks in before 1 1/2 minutes. Great sound. It does settle back. Beautiful stuff. It kicks back in before 4 minutes then settles again as contrasts continue.

A great album that Rio / Avant fans must check out.