TERMINAL TWILIGHT

I really believe that WHITE WILLOW have possibly created their best work yet with "Terminal Twilight" just over "Sacrament". Sylvia is back on vocals and sounding better than ever and we get Mattias Olsson (ANGLAGARD) on drums which certainly doesn't hurt (haha). Lots of mellotron as per usual. The most important thing for me though is how moving I find some of these pieces. Hard to explain why they do that to me but they do.

"Hawks Circle The Mountain" reminded me of PAATOS when that programmed rhythm came in with the vocals just before a minute. The real drums and guitar follow. Mellotron 3 minutes in followed by a calm a minute later then the vocals and drums return. Mike Judge from THE NERVE INSTITUE adds a guitar solo on this opening track. "Snowswept" is a song us Northerners can relate to. Ironic that this morning we got our first snowfall, in fact it was snowing as I drove to work which was kind of surreal as I listened to ETRON FOU LELOUBLAN.This track is mellow with reserved vocals then it turns fuller as contrasts continue. Big finish too.

"Kansas Regrets" really took me by surprise the first time I heard it with Tim Bowness singing. What an emotional number including the lyrics. A flute led instrumental section ends it. This is a top three tune for me. "Red Leaves" opens with piano as the vocals join in. It kicks in with guitar before 3 minutes. Nice. It's fuller a minute later. Love the guitar solo 7 1/2 minutes in.

"Floor 67" is another top three tune for me. Mellow guitar and sound to start as the vocals join in. It sounds so good when it turns fuller then it settles back after 4 1/2 minutes as the guitar comes in and solos.Vocals are back 6 minutes in as it settles again. Nice bass 8 minutes in as it turns powerful and heavy. "Natasha Of The Burning Woods" is an instrumental that builds until a calm takes over around 1 1/2 minutes. Drums after 4 minutes then it settles late to end it.

"Searise" is my other top three. Acoustic guitar and vocal melodies early then vocals take over. It kicks in at 2 1/2 minutes.This is great ! Nice crisp drumming 4 1/2 minutes in then we get a flute led section half way through the song before it kicks in with organ. "A Rumour Of Twilight" is a short acoustic instrumental to end the album.

This is a definite top three album for me when it comes to WHITE WILLOW recordings.