Title: Andromeda Awaiting / Travellers
Artist: Nucleus Torn
Genre: Classical / Progressive Rock
Release Date: 26th November 2010
Label: Prophecy Productions
Album Review
“Subtle” is a word that is rarely used when talking about progressive music. A lot of what prog does best is very in your face and designed to really challenge your capacity to take in audio information. NUCLEUS TORN however, are a very subtle band, not only in the song writing that blends classical, progressive and metal elements together for a full and organic sound, but also in the fact that their existence will largely be unknown to a lot of people.
There is a timeless quality to the six parts of ‘Andromeda Awaiting’. Their construction is akin to the movements of a classical piece by Chopin or Vivaldi, but they maintain the modern disciplines of rock and pop hooks. It’s a strange combination that could go horribly wrong, but the exquisite musicianship pulls the whole thing together. Highlights on the album include the fifteen minute-long opener ‘I’ that surfs along with masculine and feminine vocals on a wave of piano that links each part of the song. ‘III’ is a short and sweet combination of acoustic guitar, violin and flute that is both light and haunting. Whereas ‘IV’ on the other hand, is a folkier and rockier take on the formula that gives a shot of energy to the laid back atmosphere of the album.
On ‘Travellers’ we are presented with a collection of rarities and unreleased tracks that have been remastered and even re-recorded. While the tracks from the ‘Krähenkönigin’ and ‘Silver’ EPs display the same high thinking as on the ‘Andromeda…’ album, they still feel a little bit like prototypes. The final tracks ‘Leadless’ and ‘Lurking’ - which were recorded for the ‘Nihil’ album - are a lot more well-rounded. The albums are rather damn good and show a very adept use of classical composition, rather than the standard “play the violins over the guitars” formula. One criticism of the albums that I have though, is the slightly tinny production in places that becomes the most apparent on the otherwise lovely female vocals. That being said, it doesn’t detract from the listening experience.
Tracklist
Andromeda Awaiting:
1. I
2. II
3. III
4. IV
5. V
6. VI
Travellers:
1. Krähenkönigin I
2. Krähenkönigin II
3. Krähenkönigin III
4. Krähenkönigin IV
5. Silver
6. Witness
7. Beggar
8. Nucleus Torn
9. Neon-Light Submission
10. Traveller's Rest
11. Leadless
12. Lurking
Line-up
Patrick Schaad
Maria D'Alessandro
Rebecca Hagmann
Christoph Steiner
Christine Schüpbach-Käser
Anouk Hiedl
Fredy Schnyder
Website
http://www.nucleustorn.ch/
Album Cover
Rating
Music: 8
Sound: 7
Extras: -
Total: 7.5 / 10
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