{"id":8196,"date":"2021-09-17T19:45:05","date_gmt":"2021-09-17T17:45:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kessel-tamerus.nl\/Esthers_Blog\/?p=8196"},"modified":"2021-09-17T19:45:05","modified_gmt":"2021-09-17T17:45:05","slug":"gormusik-snakes-angels","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kessel-tamerus.nl\/Esthers_Blog\/cd-recensie\/gormusik-snakes-angels\/","title":{"rendered":"GorMusik \u2013 Snakes & Angels"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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As a ten-year-old boy, Gordon (a.k.a. Gordo) Bennett wanted an acoustic guitar. Although it was only $15, he had to beg and plead to get it. About six years later, he bought his first eclectic guitar. He was inspired by bands like Genesis, Jethro Tull and Deep Purple. Later he was inspired by King Crimson, Frank Zappa and many other bands. Gordo plays not only guitar, but also guitar synthesizer and bass. In 2015, he released, under the name GorMusik the album ‘Fun In OuterSpace’ out. ‘Snakes & Angels’ was released September 10th, through Melodic Revolution Records.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

‘The Beginning’ has a very quiet start, the spoken words sound distorted. There are several added sounds, and choir sounds in the background. Sound-scaping creates a surrealistic atmosphere. After about 3,5 minutes, the music becomes \u201cearthier\u201d and the vocals join in, regularly with echoes. Vocal and extended instrumental parts alternate. Rock\/metal influences and light classical music form an alternation or a nice mixture. A hectic part is followed by a piece with classical elements. There is much to enjoy, for example the stacked vocals, percussion and bird sounds. The bird sounds and the minimalist guitar play have a relaxing effect. Multiple layers of (acoustic) guitar and a lovely rhythm give it a cheerful touch, the twists and turns keep coming. The slow, wordless choral singing turns into extraordinary music. A minus is that the sound of the percussion is sometimes too tinny. The countless twists and turns do not always seem to have a connection with the whole in the first instance. Moreover, one or two transitions do not run smoothly. Because of this, a few parts of this special epic sound a bit \u201cmessy\u201d. In ‘The Deception’, you can hear references to the Garden of Eden in the text, but there are also hints about the present and the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the mysterious start of ‘The Wandering’, the sound of string instruments forms a fine blend with the rest of the music. Slowly the music gets more power. The added sounds in the softer part, draw too much attention away from the vocals. During a (metal related) instrumental piece, there is some great screaming guitar play. The drumming is fine, except the tinny sound. A beautiful turn to a quietly played part follows. The beautiful build up to the end, runs over into ‘The Lost’. Guitar playing is beautifully combined with the warm sounds of strings. The flow is slow but pleasant. There are numerous changes in the music, for instance you can hear beautiful flute playing. There are fewer added sound effects, which does justice to the pure sound of the music. ‘The Lost Orchestra’ starts with beautiful classical elements. Too bad about the crackling sounds, these are especially noticeable when listening with headphones. The touch of Arabic influences forms a nice contrast with the electronic sounds. The sound runs back and forth in the headphones and is clear here. This remains good, even when there is only classical music. After a nice melodic piece, you can hear the sound of crickets and grasshoppers for a while, with which this last track ends.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In some of these five tracks, there are quite a few added sounds and\/or effects. This sometimes takes too much attention away from the fantastic (acoustic) guitar playing of Gordo. Also, the echo on the vocals is sometimes too much. This concept album is a summary of a part of the Bible. For the knowers: from Genesis to Revelation.
Although there are Christian references in the lyrics, they are mainly about the battle between good and evil. But with a positive message. ‘Snakes & Angels’ is a complex and varied prog album.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(75\/100) (Melodic Revolution Records<\/a>) <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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