Short Reviews [Drifting Sun - 2021 - "Forsaken Innocence"]

Since Pat Sanders (keyboards) reformed Drifting Sun in 2015, following on from two albums in the Nineties, the group had been incredibly active with this 2021 album being the fifth since then. Mind you, the line-up had been very fluid and only guitarist Mathieu Spaeter had been on previous releases as there was a new rhythm section in John Jowitt (ex-Ark, ex-IQ, ex-Jadis, ex-Arena, Rain and so very many more) on bass and Jimmy Pallagrosi on drums. There had been a few singers on the previous release, "Planet Junkie", but on this there was just one in John "Jargon" Kosmidis (Verbal Delerium) while there were also a few guests, including Ben Bell who again provided a Hammond Organ solo, Eric Bouillette (guitars and violin) and Gareth Cole (guitar). No matter who he is working with under the name Drifting Sun, Pat continues to produce some soaring and highly commercial progressive rock which is a delight. Given he is a keyboard player it is no surprise that these have a huge part to play in his music, and it is often to a piano he turns to provide that counterpoint, with the synths used more for solos or swathes of chords. Kosmidis has a very melodic voice with a high range, and he often provides his own harmonies to give a multi-pronged approach. The music is highly melodic and accessible on the first time of playing but the more one listens the more there is here to enjoy. The two longest tracks are parts one and two of the title cut, which in total comes in at more than 25 minutes in length, a true epic. What strikes one throughout this album is the sheer class which comes shining through in whatever they are performing, with everyone having a major part to play. Arguably it was here that the latest version of the band started to become just that, coalescing as more of a group than a project with JJ and Jargon continuing to work with Pat on the next album, the wonderful "Veil". This is a thoroughly enjoyable prog rock album from beginning to end, and while rooted in Neo there are also plenty of Crossover and Symphonic elements as well. One for any proghead to savour.