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Canvas Solaris - Penumbra Diffuse
Release: 2006Label: Sensory Records
By: Anders
Posted: Feb 7, 2006
An instrumental progressive fusion of metal and jazz-inspired tones and a lot more is what the American band Canvas Solaris offers us, here with their second album "Penumbra Diffuse". A style and album there at first is a bit hard to get into, though after the initial listen and a couple more, the universe of Canvas Solaris starts to open and the musical madness laid to tape, starts to manifest itself as beautiful landscapes of tones and atmospheres, moving in and out of each other, in enchanting and breathtaking patterns.
The compositions grips the listener from the start and keeps one spellbound throughout the whole session, as the tracks evolve from scratch, always moving forwards, progressive guitar work, great drumming, at times straight forward and hard-hitting and at other times, more laid back while it works as percussion, and when its most extreme, technical as hell and all over the place. The bass is all over the place as well and always audible, the sound is organic and huge, the backbone and once in a while going berserk with crazy and overly inspired play, a real joy to listen to. The guitars takes the price though, always amazing and enchanting, the clear tones, the distorted, the acoustic, the classical, the play drenched in effects, it all works perfectly and is very well written and executed to perfection. The band consist of 3 amazingly talented musicians and just as good songwriters, the ideas on the album are many, though the execution of them, where it normally fails, is near perfect and makes the whole experience a joy to listen to.
The production is pretty good as well, organic and leaves a lot of room for all the instruments and effects, it is very well-balanced and fits the music perfectly. I guess you like this kind of music, otherwise you would have stopped reading this review a long ago, as instrumental music doesn't speak to that many. Though as you still are with me, this album will enter your heart, mind and soul and take you to unseen worlds of grandeur and sonic adventures. Watch out Planet X, you have yourself a fierce competitor now!
The compositions grips the listener from the start and keeps one spellbound throughout the whole session, as the tracks evolve from scratch, always moving forwards, progressive guitar work, great drumming, at times straight forward and hard-hitting and at other times, more laid back while it works as percussion, and when its most extreme, technical as hell and all over the place. The bass is all over the place as well and always audible, the sound is organic and huge, the backbone and once in a while going berserk with crazy and overly inspired play, a real joy to listen to. The guitars takes the price though, always amazing and enchanting, the clear tones, the distorted, the acoustic, the classical, the play drenched in effects, it all works perfectly and is very well written and executed to perfection. The band consist of 3 amazingly talented musicians and just as good songwriters, the ideas on the album are many, though the execution of them, where it normally fails, is near perfect and makes the whole experience a joy to listen to.
The production is pretty good as well, organic and leaves a lot of room for all the instruments and effects, it is very well-balanced and fits the music perfectly. I guess you like this kind of music, otherwise you would have stopped reading this review a long ago, as instrumental music doesn't speak to that many. Though as you still are with me, this album will enter your heart, mind and soul and take you to unseen worlds of grandeur and sonic adventures. Watch out Planet X, you have yourself a fierce competitor now!
Rating: 9/10
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