Detailed Reviews [Shamblemaths - 2021 - "Shamblemaths 2"]

Prolusion. Norwegian band Shamblemaths has been a going concern since 2004, initially using the moniker Fallen Fowl but at some point opting for Shamblemaths as a better name. They released their self-titled debut album back in 2016, a production that was rather favorably received by many fans and reviewers. Following what I suspect are quite a few years of work Shamblemaths were signed to Norwegian label Apollon Records this year, and are now out with the album "Shamblemaths 2".

Analysis. Shamblemaths is a band that I suspect many will find difficult to categorize. For my sake I'd sort this latest album of theirs somewhere in the avantgarde section of the progressive rock universe, and the word eclectic certainly has it's place for this band as well. For this latter aspect I'd say that it is the songs themselves that by and large are eclectic rather than the scope of the album the factor to be described in this manner: Rather than having songs exploring a vast landscape the individual songs are the items that cover a lot of ground here. Much of this album made me think about the current stream of avantgarde-oriented bands connected to the label Dur et Doux in France. While the music may well be different and Shamblemaths being a bit more controlled in their excursions, the tendencies to feature majestic, bombastic and challenging arrangements used in passages filled with sounds and details is pretty much the same. Shamblemaths generally stop short of throwing in the kitchen sink as well though, making the music just a little bit easier on the mind and the ears. But for those more fond of the accessible side of progressive rock, this is a production that may well be a bit too demanding to explore. Those who love and treasure the expressive and demanding aspect of progressive rock will find this album to be most charming however. Jazz-tinged details are scattered throughout, and unless my ears are much mistaken the odd bits of chamber music makes it into a few of the songs too. Folk music elements are used to good effect, and those who know how to appreciate some retro-oriented symphonic progressive rock will have a few select bits of candy to enjoy too - albeit as a part of a greater totality rather than explored in a purebred manner. There are tons of details for the avid listener to enjoy of course, as that is a general tendency for this type of progressive rock, and while a lot of enjoyment can be found in the busier passages Shamblemaths is a band that can make good use of more simple effects too. Cue the child's lead vocal on the opening of the epic four part 'Lat Kvar Jordisk Skapning Teia', backed with a dark undercurrent of sounds that creates a tension we are made by nature to react to. This is one of those albums that in my ears at least doesn't have any weak spots at all. Some songs strike me as being at a slightly higher level than others, but for my taste and understanding of music this is a production with a quality level that starts at solid and ends at brilliant.

Conclusion. Shamblemaths have made themselves a strong contender for album of the year among many fans of progressive rock with "Shamblemaths 2". Those who favor progressive rock of the more challenging and demanding variety will have a field day with this production, and those who tend to favor bands described with words such as eclectic and avantgarde in particular are people that will get a lot out of this production. An album just as easy to recommend as the first album by this fine band.

Progmessor: October 2021
The Rating Room