Vespero: De ludo globi

What sort of band rouses you to read up on a fifteenth-century philosopher, theologian, and jurist? Veteran Russian space rockers Vespero. That’s who.

The group says that its fourteenth studio album is “inspired by the work of Nicholas of Cusa,� otherwise known as Nicolaus Cusanus. I read his lengthy Wikipedia entry and I still couldn’t figure out his influence on the album, other than it takes its name from one of his more famous books, which consists of “two dialogues, the first between Cusanus and John IV, Duke of Bavaria and the second between Cusanus and John’s brother Albert IV, Duke of Bavaria.� That said, it was a long shot to begin with given that the album doesn’t have lyrics. Instead, it has two long instrumental pieces, each clocking in at just over twenty minutes, which probably relate in some way to the two dialogues.

The band has attempted a 20-minute piece only once before, and it was a bonus track on 2020’s The Four Zoas, which I know I enjoyed at the time but I can’t really recall much about the song. So, despite being a long-time Vespero fan, I had some doubts whether they could pull off two such lengthy pieces. But I shouldn’t have doubted them. The songs are nicely arranged and played, and they are memorable. After giving the album a break for a few months, I listened to it several times again recently and most of it came back to me quickly.

The two tracks are quite different in structure but contain many of the same elements at some point. The first leads off with about six minutes of mid-70s Camel-like symphonic prog. It then moves into a more fusion direction, followed by an almost meditative section, and ends with a short swirling piece of space rock.

The second track continues with about another eight minutes of space rock, similar to mid-90s Ozric Tentacles. It is followed by a brief interlude reminiscent of Godbluff-era Van der Graaf Generator but softer and without Peter Hammill’s harsh, oppressive vocals, of course. It then moves into a jazzy section and closes with two minutes of cacophony, but beautiful cacophony, with seemingly every instrument battling but at the same time complementing each other.

This album is probably most appreciated when listened to on headphones, particularly to fully grasp the excellent keyboard and horn work. But I also have found myself listening to it in the car, and likely being less annoyed by traffic because of what is coming through the speakers.

Could this have been a 30-minute album/EP with each “side� taking 15 minutes instead of 20? Sure, but I’m glad that they went for the whole megillah. Give it a shot. Not all of it might be for you, but if you are a fan of jazzy, eclectic, spacey, or symphonic prog, I imagine you will find something to like.

Track Listing
1. De ludo globi- Pars una (20:05)
2. De ludo globi- Pars duo (20:23)

Added: January 27th 2024
Reviewer: Aaron Steelman
Score:
Related Link: Band @ Bandcamp
Hits: 321
Language: english

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