Cydonia: Stations

Stations is the debut album from German progressive rock outfit Cydonia, although in truth a better description would maybe be that this release is an ‘extended EP’. Three studio cuts make up the main portion of the release, but these admittedly do run to around the 28 minute mark and are then augmented by two live tracks which clock up to 17 minutes between them.

No matter how best to categorise this release, what this Freiburg based outfit deliver is tasteful, if at times restrained, guitar led progressive rock that still contains some excellent keyboard work. It’s Rainer Duck who provides the former and Daniel Perrey the latter, with the rest of the band made up of singer Michael Bernauer, drummer Dirk Fenchel and bassist Oliver Gerike. Even though a lot of this album is instrumental, with long sections being more about mood and atmosphere - “Where Is The Silence?� for example has a long piano/voice section - Bernauer is asked to do quite a lot of vocal heavy lifting and it has to be said that in an understated kind of way he handles it admirably. Not to the extent that it’s a distraction it would be safe to suggest that both he and Duck may just have heard of a certain Mr Gilmour and his band, with a few sections undoubtedly reminding of latter era Pink Floyd. Those are dangerous waters to tread but through the album’s longest piece, the four part “Union Of Souls� Cydonia prove they have the ability to hold their own in this territory.

Thankfully the live tracks, while feeling like they were recorded in front of a small smattering of people, prove to be as accomplished, “Caravan Of Slaves� a slow building piece where Middle Eastern themes are explored deftly, while “Already There� again relies on this band’s willingness to embrace slower, more patient themes while keeping them engaging. Truth be told, it’s difficult to suggest that Stations is ground breaking stuff and yet, I’d wager that was never really the intention. If crafted, atmospheric progressive rock that’s perfect for those solitary moments of reflection floats you boat, what Cydonia serve up will be well worth your investigations.

Track Listing
1. Way To Cydonia
2. Where Is The Silence?
3. Union Of Souls
4. Caravan Of Slaves (live)
5. Already There (live)

Added: September 21st 2023
Reviewer: Steven Reid
Score:
Related Link: Cydonia @ bandcamp
Hits: 682
Language: english

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