Isildurs Bane & Steve Hogarth: Colours Not Found In Nature

Here is a very interesting collaboration. UK musician Steve Hogarth has been Marillion's vocalist since 1989 (hard to believe it has been that long) and Isildurs Bane, a long time Swedish symphonic rock outfit which formed way back in 1976 have joined forces to produce Colours Not Found In Nature. It has been fourteen years since Isildurs Bane's last album Mind Vol. 4 (2003) so this would seem like an excellent pairing and that is indeed the case.

The music presented on Colours Not Found In Nature is both sweeping in its orchestral beauty and dynamic as these six tracks are lush, the string and keyboard arrangements are quite stunning and the subtle twisting ebb and flow of the arrangements keep the interest level high.

Your adventure begins with "Ice Pop" with its orchestral arrangement veneered with a thin layer of pseudo pop sheen. Hogarth's vocals are typically expressive and the catchy guitar groove combined with lush keyboards and strings and shifting dynamics is quite addictive. On "The Random Fires" the tempo starts at a slow pace, very moody and laced with vibes and keyboards. The memorable chorus will get stuck in your head while the musicianship is outstanding. The press release draws a comparison to The Beatles' classic "I Am The Walrus" and to this I can't argue as the rhythms do bear some resemblance. It's a great tune any way you slice it. "Peripheral Vision" is a gorgeous ballad with lovely strings of violin and viola, piano and Hogarth's warm vocals, perhaps his most expressive performance on the disc. The rest of the band are equally good showing both subtly and restrain. The guitar solo is also a highlight as the tempo picks up a bit throughout the song's course. "The Love And The Affair" is the album's longest track featuring shimmering keys and understated electronics before a change in tempo signifies the presence of heavier riffs, trickier chord progressions and darker tinged soundscapes. Another stunning track that is both catchy and very progressive. "Diamonds And Amnesia" begins with keyboards and strings, sometimes venturing into darker territory and Hogarth's half sung/half speak vocals. It's a slow tune with gorgeous vocals, piano and strings being the dominant features. The disc ends with the energetic "Incandescent" where a fantastic vocal arrangement, shimmering keyboards and effective use of brass mix with heavier riffs and excellent drumming. It's a catchy progressive track that finishes off our journey in fine style. Colours Not Found In Nature is an impressive progressive rock album exuding class from the first track to the last. Hogarth's vocals are something of a revelation here, seemingly a perfect fit for the band's symphonic delights. Let's hope this collaboration doesn't end here and there is more to come in the future.

Track Listing:
1. Ice Pop (6:23)
2. The Random Fires (5:16)
3. Peripheral Vision (7:00)
4. The Love And The Affair (10:34)
5. Diamonds And Amnesia (5:18)
6. Incandescent (6:50)

Added: September 28th 2017
Reviewer: Jon Neudorf
Score:
Related Link: Band's Facebook Page
Hits: 2431
Language: english

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