JUPITER SOCIETY - review added 13th January 2010
Album Review: Terraform (2009)
For fans of: Prog Metal... and music about space
The intriguingly titled Jupiter Society, created by keyboardist Carl Westholm (Carptree, Krux, Candlemass), first came onto the progressive rock scene in 2008 with the debut album, First Contact // Last Warning.
This second album, Terraform, sees them following a similar path to the first by employing the services of numerous prominent musicians. Guitarists Kulle and Marcus Jidell (Royal Hunt), vocalist Mats Levén (Therion, Yngwie Malmsteen), and drummers Christer Jansson (Roxette) and Lars Sköld (Tiamat) are amongst the many contributors.
The sound is big, bold and very obviously progressive. This is a record that refuses to hide it's influences and passions in the background. Saying that it's all strangely approachable and, although it's self-indulgent, the music is impressive and a pleasure to listen to again and again. Top track for me is 'Rescue and Resurrection'. It features some stunning orchestrations and vocal performances. The near-ten-minute length shrinks around a body of clever musicianship and atmospheric layers, and it's all too easy to be drawn into the emotional sub-structure of the song.
Good album this. It's going to appeal more to progressive fans than the wider audience, but if you fancy a dabble I don't think you'll be disappointed. Don't go into it expecting mind-blowing individual tracks. This is an album to savour as a whole.
Check out... The beautiful pomposity of it all.
Track List:
1. New Universe
2. Rescue and Resurrection
3. Cranial Implant
4. Into the Dark
5. Siren Song/Black Hole
6. Terraforming
7. Beyond These Walls You Are Not My Master
Label: Prog Rock Records
Artist's website(s): Jupiter Society , MySpace
