Short Reviews [Shepherds of Cassini - 2015 - "Helios Forsaken"]

A while back I was at a gig at Dead Witch and watching the soundcheck when I realised, I recognised one of the musicians, Felix Lun. I had not seen Felix in years, as I had seen Shepherds of Cassini a few times back in the day but was aware they were no longer active. He was only guesting that night, but it turned out that he and drummer Omar Al-Hashimi were in a new and very different band called Star Control, so I went long and reviewed them when I could as well. I was back at Dead Witch a while later and Omar came up to me and said he was pleased I was there as he wanted to give me something, namely a CD of their second album, 2015’s ‘Helios Forsaken’. I was very pleased as I was sure I only had the download, but it has taken until recently for me to realise that not only did I not have that but had not actually heard the album and had never reviewed it. 2015 was the year we left Auckland for Canterbury, so am sure that must be the reason, but am determined some eight years after the event to put matters straight. I first discovered Shepherds through guitarist and singer Brendan Zwaan as I knew him as the keyboard player for Mice On Stilts, with the line-up completed by bassist Vitesh Bava. When I first came across them I was not too sure, and 7 years after my review of their debut first appeared Felix shocked me that he could still remember what I had written, as I had said, “The first time I played this not only did I not understand what I was really listening to, I actually didn't like it at all”, only coming around at the end. That was not the case this time though, as I loved it from the off and that feeling only kept growing the more I played it. Produced again by Dave Rhodes, one of our most well-known rock producers (and a drummer himself), he has captured a band most unlike any others I have come across, not only in Auckland but internationally. Although they are not an instrumental band as such, they often have very long instrumental passages, with Felix and Brendan either combining in frenetic activity or allowing the other to take the lead. Omar and Vitesh do not appear to understand how to put in place a basic rhythmic foundation and instead are providing their own melodies, counter melodies and patterns so there is always a great deal of movement within the platform which the others are basing their own approach on. There is a lot of Middle Eastern stylings within this, and by having lengthy numbers (three are more than 14 minutes) they can really develop the sounds and threads. These threads are hugely intricate, building massively expansive tapestries which combine cultures, genres and styles in a manner which is so very different indeed. I am convinced that if they had been performing in London they would have been very well known indeed, and even I am taken aback when Brendan changes from singing sweetly to forcing out the words in “The Amalgest”. My understanding is the band came to a natural end when Vitesh moved overseas, but I believe he is now back, so I hope they may decide to have a gig just for old times’ sake and if that happens, I will be there, front and centre. This is a wonderful album, and if you want prog that is very much out of the norm yet also easy to listen to if you enjoy complexity then this is for you. BTW, their Bandcamp site is still active, and this is available as a download for just $5 NZD, so what have you to lose?