ZONE SIX / VESPERO: ‎THE SPLIT THING

A truly international production, "The Split Thing" is an album divided between German space rock veterans ZONE SIX and Russian space rock band VESPERO. The former a rather loose band constellation with a history going back to the late 90's and with 8 CD and CD-R releases to their name, the latter a more structured group with a history that started back in 2003 and a total of 7 full length productions to their name. And in spirit with the international context of their joint effort, this CD was released by Swedish label Transubstans Records in the spring of 2012.

After investigating this production a bit, it is clear that we're dealing with two bands complementing each other fairly well in this case. They both share certain features: Both bands are all instrumental on this occasion, their compositions have a strong improvisational trait to them, and both bands are undeniably space rock in sound and style. But with some differences in expression that adds a nice touch to this disc.

Vespero are represented by three tracks that each clock in well before the 10 minute mark, and their excursions are marked by defined alterations in sound throughout. Rather than merely developing from one theme or lead motif over to the next one, this is a band that explore a theme or an idea, steadily developing it, and then moving on to the next one if they have an approach at hand that fits into the overall context or utilizing ambient interludes as they occasionally do to good effect on a few occasions. Otherwise their expression is one that employ the lighter parts of the tone range extensively, where careful guitar soloing combine with keyboard and organ motifs, while the flute is given room for details of a more careful nature. A dampened but tight rhythm section beneath cater for pace and intensity nice and efficiently. Generally Vespero choose to develop a theme from a slower careful start towards an energetic, high impact final phase prior to shifting themes, or to conclude the piece in question. Well made and well performed music through and through, lighter in tone and spirit than many other space rock bands but without ever loosing touch with the rock part of the proceedings.

Zone Six' contribution marks a distinct difference right away, as this is a monster excursion clocking in at just over 24 minutes. And unlike Vespero, Zone Six has the approach of one steadily developing theme towards a final conclusion. In the initial phase of their track here they have an intermediate phase where the first approach defragments and they jam along a bit until heading off into a new direction, this one sticking until the end. They don't utilize the more distinct shifts of their discmates, instead opting for a more directly improvised solution. Zone Six also employ a darker, gritter and harder edged sound with less room for keyboards, dominated by dark toned, compact and fairly gritty guitar riffs and backed by a rhythm section with a distinctly massive footprint. Synth effects and resonating guitar details cater for the space part quite nicely, and their gritty sound won't leave anyone questioning their rock credentials.

Of the two I found Vespero to be slightly more interesting on this occasion. While I generally enjoy Zone Six overall sound better, their piece here gets to be somewhat too long and uniform to make a markedly strong impression: Good quality space rock but without any elements to it that elevates it above similar efforts by others. Fans of the style and this particular expression will of course love this epic length space romp, and it isn't lacking anything in quality as such. Vespero's contributions are somewhat more varied in scope and expression, and they also leave room for finer details to appear. This adds a somewhat more refined feel to their undertakings, as well as arguably broadening the overall appeal ever so slightly.

All in all a good album for fans of instrumental space rock of the improvisational kind, and with two bands sporting somewhat different approaches to this type of music the scope and variation is broader than what standalone band productions of this kind tend to be as well. A good quality production that should please both avid and more casual fans of this style.