Now, it doesn’t take much to get me confused, but at the moment I’m not actually sure what the name is of this band. According to their Facebook page they are Arabs in Aspic II, but according to the label they are Arabs in Aspic. The cover art doesn’t show the band name, and I was sent this as a download so I don’t have a physical copy to look at. I have no idea where the band name (whichever one it is) actually comes from, apart from thinking that it must have something to do with a certain King Crimson album, so maybe it’s fortunate that the name is so unusual. Mind you, one has to wonder about the name altogether, is it likely to upset someone in the current climate? Maybe, but these Norwegians have been together for more than 15 years now and this is their fifth album so they’re not exactly newcomers. But, this is the first album of theirs that I’ve come across which shows how easy it is to miss out on great bands, even with the internet.
They say that their main influences are Sabbath and Wetton-era King Crimson, but there is also the requirement to mention how important psychedelia and plenty of early prog bands are to these guys. This is chunky prog that definitely hearkens back to forty years ago, and makes no excuses for that whatsoever. It is controlled, with really heavy elements which threaten more than appear, with special guest singer Rune Sundby (from famous Norwegian 70’s proggers Ruphus) doing a standout job. While the guitars are heavy, the drums are dramatic, and there are loads of mellotron and Hammond on this.
The result is something that those into heavier ‘classic’ prog that is very much geared towards the Seventies sound will enjoy a great deal. I did.
www.blackwidow.it
