WATERCLIME is a new side project from Vintersorg frontman Mr.V. When I read the press release on the new CD 'The Astral Factor' I was expecting some kind of ambient symphonic noise thing that probably went nowhere. Man, was I wrong! Simply put, 'The Astral Factor' is amazing. Finally someone has made a prog rock record without it sounding like a math equation. It is deeply rooted in 70's progressive and experimental art rock, but also sounds completely refreshing in an age where melodic and technical hard rock sound mechanical, unoriginal and soulless.

All the instruments and vocals on this record are credited to Mr. V except three guitar solos (two of which are played by Vintersorg guitarist Mattias Marklund), and two guest vocalists. Also of note is the fact that Mr. V wrote and recorded one track at a time giving the album a layered and textured feel. One might think this would create a record devoid of any real structure, but that is not the case. The album has structure, just not in a conventional sense.

Upon hearing the opening track "Mountains", I was already hooked. An upbeat and melodic rocker with Martin Barre/JETHRO TULL style guitar riffs and organ stabs that conjure up visions of Rick Wakeman's towering pyramid of keyboards onstage during an early YES tour. Mr. V's voice sounds remarkably similar to Ian Anderson. So much so that I half expected to hear a blistering flute solo complete with quick short out of breath chirps in between notes. The next track "Floating" starts with a clean strumming rhythm guitar over top and electric sitar that flows perfectly into the first verse. As a matter of fact, the whole album flows right along from one song to the next. It does not ramble on with pretentious times changes that only make sense to the people playing them. All of the instruments intertwine with each other. On the song "Painting Without Colors" an uplifting guitar part meshes perfectly with a dark, sinister organ. The album is full of musical paradoxes that somehow seem to make complete sense.

WATERCLIME is a musical project that wears it's influences on it's compositional sleeve. You can clearly hear the stylings of early YES, TULLl, NEKTAR, ELP, GENTLE GIANT and even RUSH. Out of all this is something that feels very new and from a listener's standpoint is completely fulfilling. It is an album that is rich in harmonies, ambiance and atmosphere. It is said that a key inspiration in composing this record was nature. I think that 'The Astral Factor' is proof that music and nature are in almost perfect harmony.

- Peters

OFFICIAL SITE: myspace.com/waterclime

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