A GIANT'S LULLABY

It's like this band has done a complete 180 degree turn away from the style of their debut album. I was actually shocked at the difference.The debut was sort of melancholic and at times trippy and dreamy bringing to mind WOBBLER, ANEKDOTEN and LANDBERK at times.This is nothing like the debut at all. I'm really impressed with this record though, but i'm just surprised at how much World Music and Jazz is in it. Lots of mellotron though.These guys truly have progressed and have "found their sound ?". Lots of guests helping out as well.

"Flight Of Shamash" builds with acoustic guitar, light drums and synths. Gregorian chants come in after a minute. I really like the guitar after 2 minutes in. A change before 4 minutes as guitar leads the way. Samples too. Great sound as it picks up. Vocal melodies as it settles before 6 minutes. Guitar is back a minute later. "Choir Of Life" has a Celtic feel to it and I like the mandolin and synths. The female vocal melodies are a nice touch as well, then she starts to sing. We get mellotron floods as well. Nice. So powerful 3 minutes in. Just a pleasure. Song 3 is an untitled instrumental. It's only 1 1/2 minutes long but it's so well done. Acoustic guitar, bass and drums as we get lots of background synths. "Dreams Of Butterflies" features some good bass early but check out the mellotron! There's a Swedish vibe as the vocals come in. Kind of jazzy too. Back to the original melody as contrasts continue. We're drowning in mellotron here. When the vocal return we get some sax. A heavier sound 3 1/2 minutes in with electric guitar and huge bass lines. Incredible tune. Song 5 is another short instrumental. Jazzy with samples.

"Spirit Of Time" is a dreamy song with a PINK FLOYD vibe that gets a little intense then ends dreamily again. Mellotron and sax help out once again. Great song ! I would describe "Desert Blues" as having an Arabic sound with chanting although it's mostly instrumental with some nice sax. Some good dark atmosphere as well. Man this guy can drum ! It gets pretty intense before a barking dog ends it. "Sometimes" is another favourite that is Jazz influenced with keys, vocals, light drums and sax standing out. Then the guitar comes in. Mellotron is impressive to end it. "A Giant's Lullaby" opens with lots of sax. It picks up 1 1/2 minutes in. Contrasts continue. Lots of vocals and mellotron too. "Dark Horizons" is an excellent song with the guitar getting some of the spotlight. Love when the vocals come in, its so uplifting. One of my favourites.

I really applaud KVAZAR and hope we don't have to wait another 5 years to see what's up their sleeves. As much as I like their debut this is just more powerful and they really did pull out all the stops. A very ambitous release that succeeds at every level.