Nil: Nil Novo Sub Sole

Cover	Release	Style
	2005	progressive rock
	Label
	Unicorn Records
	Website
	www.nilweb.com
	Contact
	nilweb@free.fr
	Playing Time	Cat. N°
	61:37	UNCR-5021
	Review by	Rating
	Christoph	9,5/10
nederlands	Review
This must have been fate: since no-one else from our staff was really drawn into the record, “Quarante Jours Sur Le Sinaï” (2003) by Nil unexpectedly visited my CD player. This French ensemble really baffled me! Longing to get to know more material from these guys, their new album “Nil Novo Sub Sole” got straight into my letter box. Its title is a nice play with words (“Nothing New Under The Sun”), though quite ironic, since only a few outfits are as innovative as Nil. This is original and inimitable progressive music that takes you from one amazing momentum into another. Crucial is David Maurin’s guitar, one moment expressing heavily, another moment anointing. In other words, between King Crimson and Pink Floyd. He also reminds me of fellow countryman Chris Casagrande (Priam). His flute, though not prominently present, also testifies of the superb quality of this much too unknown band. Bass and Stick by Samuel Maurin yowl and crawl like a cat. Benjamin Croizy conjures threatening atmospheric sounds out of his synths, piano and mellotron. Frank Niebel provides some inversed drumming patterns in the vein of Bill Bruford in his UK period. While instrumentally so many things are happening, the vocals are contributing no less. Roselyne Berthet’s great soprano enhances the songs even more and delivers the music its angelic character. This symbiosis between hope and despair drags the listener immediately and unconditionally into the universe of Nil. “Nil Novo Sub Sole” is over an hour of splendid music that will keep you haunted. An entirely flawless record, and that’s not common these days. Considering the complexity of the song writing, you should let this music grow on you. Sound recording and production are professional and crystal clear. An obvious candidate for my top ten of 2005!
Musicians
David Maurin: guitar, midi guitar, flute Samuel Maurin: basses, stick, synths Benjamin Croizy: synths, piano, mellotron Roselyne Berthet: voices, whispers in the dark Frank Niebel: drums, percussion
Tracklist
Le Gardien Linceul Dérégénération 198 Abandon Dérives
Discography
Nil (1999) Nocturnes (1999) Quarante Jours Sur Le Sinaï (2003) Nil Novo Sub Sole (2005)


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