InsideOut Records scored a big signing recently with the addition of Sweden's Gösta Berlings Saga to their roster of artists, the band now releasing their debut for the label and fifth album overall, ET EX. A favorite of progressive rock fans since their inception a little over a decade ago, Gösta Berlings Saga bringer a darker, mostly instrumental sound to the InsideOut label, and ET EX once again will keep listeners on their toes with the bands blend of dissonant, electronic mayhem.
In spots, I'm reminded of both Tangerine Dream & Goblin, a blending of the space rock/electronic/krautrock/'70s prog styles, as you make your way through this album, with layers of synths, Mellotron, Fender Rhodes, Taurus pedals, busy drumming, and of course plenty of angular guitar work. "The Shortcomings of Efficiency" is a terrific track, haunting, almost nightmarish keyboard textures simmering underneath busy drum barrages and blistering, almost Robert Fripp styled guitar shards flying in every direction. "Square 5" is a great example of the Tangerine Dream meets Goblin reference I mentioned above, bubbling synths battling dramatic swells, the bass & drums grooving over a lively yet mysterious melody, while the effective use of the Mellotron is just lovely on tracks like "Over and Over" and "Veras Tema". If you like creepy synth sounds, look no further than "Capercaillie Lammergeyer Cassowary & Repeat", a real throwback to the glory years of the German electronic scene, David Lundberg & Rasmus Booberg doing a great job of laying down some futuristic and chilling ambient explorations. "Fundament" might just be the most charming track here, saved for last, and features some tasty guitar lines over thumping grooves and upbeat synths. Menacing yet fun at the same time!
Not your traditional sounding prog, and somewhat of a departure from what we normally expect from InsideOut, ET EX is still a very intriguing and enjoyable release that will certainly bring the music of Gösta Berlings Saga to a much wider audience. Well done.
Track Listing
01. Veras Tema
02. The Shortcomings of Efficiency
03. Square 5
04. Over and Out
05. Artefacts
06. Capercaillie Lammergeyer Cassowary & Repeat
07. Brus Från Stan
08. Fundament
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