Apparently this is the full-length instrumental version of a previously released CD EP, which I've not heard so I cannot compare the two. Included are seven long tracks (Chapters I - VII), averaging around eight minutes each. At 11 minutes, the longest piece ("Chapter I") starts things off with some sampled percussion (I can't tell if it's live or programmed, it could go either way) alongside some bass and erratic guitar textures that have a droning improvisational progressive rock sort of vibe going on - and all of this has been manipulated to play at a slower tempo and a lower pitch. It's very repetitive and seems somewhat bland at first, but it really becomes rather hypnotic and enjoyable. That pretty much sets the bar for the entire record. At times bass is more noticeable and guitars take a back seat or become more evidently distorted... but in all honesty the entire 55-minute disc basically sounds like some sort of experimental, ethereal, ambient rock music played at half speed. There's scarcely any real variety. At times subtle melody seeps to the surface, but the mood is always somber and the tempo fairly slow. I definitely wish I had heard the original version of this release in its EP form so that I knew how the two connect with one another... As for the recording, I love the sound of the drums, the bass is really throbbing due to the lowered pitch (but also very well defined), and the guitars tend to be slightly muddy but fairly soothing and atmospheric in texture. It has a certain flowing quality to it that complements the material, and there's just something ominous about the pitch shifting, especially on the drums, that really works. I like most of the layout. The band logo is nice and crisp, I enjoy the use of white space, and the front cover has an interesting appeal to it. Most of the imagery looks like manipulated images of trees and such, but the way things are mirrored creates unusual effects. Minimal text is presented inside, but most of the visual presence is driven by white space. This is a nice release, especially effective in headphones or as background music (but not in a bad way). My only complaint is that the disc is a bit long for its one-sided nature, but I enjoy it nonetheless.
[Dragon Flight]
Running time - 54:42, Tracks: 7
[Notable tracks: Chapter IV, Chapter VI]
Dragon Flight Recordings - http://www.dragonflightrec.org
