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Though this is the fourth album of the
Norwegian prog-rock band White Willow, I’ve got to admit that I’d
never heard of them before. They started off as a folk-rock band,
but evolved towards the music that is presented to us in Storm
Season..
Nice thing about this album is the
mixing of different styles into one extremely captivating piece of
music. Folk, rock, symphonic rock, gothic rock… they all blend into
one another as if it were only normal. Apart from the magic of the
cello, White Willow has chosen for heavy guitars, alternating
between rock and gothic.
The album begins with the lonely sound of a flute
which makes you believe to be listening to music of native
Americans. The
synthesizer makes this impression even stronger, but as the melody
starts, you know you have been mislead.
Mysterious, slow prog-rock with the
very particular voice of Sylvia Erichsen and an atmosphere
that strongly reminds of Paatos. Especially Sally Left
gives you that strong Paatos or Hooverphonic feeling. The
track starts exactly like a Hooverphonic song but the ingenious
elaboration of the song goes much further. It gets a theatrical
touch and the mysterious sound of the cello blends into a guitar
solo that hasn’t got many notes, but has the intensity of the one in
Pink Floyd’s Comfortably Numb. Endless Science has a melodic,
charming beginning. It’s sung with restrained passion and the solo
of both guitar and cello is of a wondrous beauty.
Soulburn
brings on the power and starts with a threatening
bass sound. The drums and heavy gothic guitar join in and announce
the – male – singer. This song contains very heavy gothic parts with
a magnificent female voice, perfect blends into the easier parts
filled with restrained passion and a great guitar solo. Insomnia
is a slow progressive rocksong with King Crimson influences that can
also be heard in Storm Season. Nightside of Eden
brings on the heavy gothic guitar sound once more. The marvellous
thing about this song is how - seemingly effortlessly - the switch
is made from heavy to soft, from gothic to prog and back again. Also
to be mentioned: the great Hammond solo and the enchanting voice of
Erichsen. Nightside of Eden is a great song!
Storm Season
intrigues from the beginning and will – as you listen to it over and
over again - find its way to the shelf in your cd-rack where you
keep your favourites.
This is a masterpiece! |
