Short Reviews [Venus Loon - 2024 - "Pandora's Paradox"]

Following on from 2022's "Havoc", Peter Lawson (electric, acoustic, bass and lap steel guitars, mandolin, keyboards and vocals) and Wolfgang Ostermann (drums, percussion, tongue drums, keyboards, mixing and production) have returned with an album which at times is incredibly layered and dramatic with multiple guitars and punchy drums and at others can take the music in a very different tangent indeed. Of course this is telling us about Pandora, the first human woman created by Hephaestus on the instructions of Zeus, who opened a box left in her care, releasing evil into the world. It is not the first time this theme has been developed in rock music, and it won't be the last, but there is an energy about tracks such as opener "Inside The Simulation" which immediately grab our attention and bring us deep inside the album. AS with their last release together, I am mightily impressed by the way that Peter and Wolfgang work together as equal partners. "Ouroboros" commences with drums and guitars in perfect harmony, something which they return to throughout the piece while each of them also takes the opportunity to develop the themes in different ways. It is not unusual for the bass to provide the foundation, being the centre point as guitars and drums go off in different areas while the keyboards are often fairly minimal, just adding nuances and touches while it is not unusual to have multiple different guitars on the same track. They are not afraid to play lengthy instrumental passages, and there are times when the music is very dramatic indeed. Overall this is an album which is reflective more of the golden age of prog when heavier elements were often introduced, and is far more in that classic style, which makes this a fun outing indeed.