Agropelter is a Norwegian prog rock project, featuring Kay Olsen (guitar, bass, Hammond, ARP synths), Andreas Skorpe Sjoen (drums), Mattias Olsson (percussion, Mellotron), Jonas Reingold (fretless bass), Jordi Castella (grand piano), Eli Mine (harpsichord), Norlene M (cello), Aileen Antu (double bass), Luis Vilca (alto flute), Hannah Danets (flute), Zhivago (bassoon), and Edgar Asmar (duduk). The Book of Hours is their debut album on Ken Golden's Laser's Edge label, and it's a good one folks.
"Flute of Peril" opens the album, and the listener is greeted with ominous, creepy Mellotron, and soaring flute...the title of the track perfectly sets the stage for what you can expect on this one.
"Levitator" follows, more upbeat, clearly in the symphonic prog-rock style, with some tasty guitar soloing from Olsen, nice use of church organ, layers of drums and percussion. It's a really strong track. Up next is "Burial Mound", which features lovely bass work from Reingold on what is basically more of an atmospheric track.
On to the epic, multi-part "The Book of Hours"...this is a great long-form suite, filled with killer '70s inspired keyboard tones, ripping guitar from Kay, and I love the organ and ARP synth work, along with killer drumming too. It's not all high energy though, as there are some tranquil moments with lovely piano, then the wild synth blasts come back into play. Nice Mellotron and piano work well alongside each other, then church organ again...glorious stuff. More synths, more organ, more piano, and another melodic guitar solo, more blazing ARP, piano...some cool almost Peter Banks styled synth passages, more Mellotron, heavy symphonic passages, more sizzling lead guitar, a little drum solo...it's a wonderful extended piece, and the finale is quite grand indeed.
Overall, a great sounding CD, and if you love classic sounding instrumental progressive rock, you've come to the right place. Another aspect here is that this album doesn't sound like anyone else. Highly recommended!
Track Listing
1) Flute of Peril
2) Levitator
3) Burial Mound
4) The Book of Hours, Parts I-IV
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