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Review:
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Karnataka released a rather momentous album in 2010,
the stunning 'The Gathering Light' that garnered rave critical
and fan plaudits, and after a rather long hiatus (5 years)
that saw them slightly alter once again their line-up with
the departure of the sassy lead singer Lisa Fury, drummer
Ian Harris and keyboardist Gonzalo Carrera, they are back
with a fine effort indeed. New lead vocalist (and quite
ravishing lady) Hayley Griffiths, French drummer Jimmy Pallagrosi
and Turkish keyboard master Cagri Tozluoglu add to the tradition
of sensational voice, booming percussion and sweeping ivories,
keeping the Ian Jones-led Karnataka ship in fine form. Guitarist
Enrico Pinna is also back to provide some blistering leads
and never disappoints. Again, they opt for another extended
epic (as with the preceding album title track 'The Gathering
Light', which clocked in at 14 minutes+), the whopping 20
minute opus 'Secrets of Angels' seeks to stamp the proceedings
with unmistakable prog-rock credentials.***
Vivid pieces like the cinematographic opener 'Road
to Cairo' set the mood from the get-go, introducing unpretentious,
highly melodic nuggets that have all the elements to please,
solid drums pushing and egging all the others forward, the
melodies that infect you the very first time you perceive
them, a bit like being smitten by love at first hearing,
light yet resonatingly profound. From that moment on, each
track seems to flow into the next, like riveting chapters
in a racy romantic novel, further intoxicating the listener
into a miraculous emotion- drenched fantasyland. After returning
from Egypt, a delicate piano and orchestral drama on the
emotionally heavier 'Because of You', slashed by a monster
axe solo awaits the longing listener. A gorgeous love song.
Contrast that with the slick 'Poison Ivy', a raging and
tempestuous lullaby, led by a choked Griffiths vocal and
diseased love lyrics. The swirling symphonics and choir
elevate this to a palpitating level, tossing in a venomous
verse, just to remind all of us that humans can veer from
sweet to bitter in a nano-second. Both the insistent and
persistent 'Forbidden Dreams' and its companion, the stormy
'Borderline' offer up instantaneous airs that do not meander
in molasses-like slosh, quite the opposite really as the
bombastic melodies, mammoth choruses and penetrating verses
resonate with power and emphasis.***
'Fairytale Lies' is a stunning little jewel, served
by a classic melody, sung by a siren-like a voice that would
make you feel 'reborn from the ashes' and underpinned by
a Pinna solo (hihihi, as Kati would say!), a soulful Griffiths
vocal that sears the skies. On a delicious track like 'Feels
Like Home', the ingenuity of simplicity comes shining through,
a soulful, honest internal reflection on the myriad little
mosaic tiles that form our daily routine. The massive title
track is deliberately kept at the end, a majestic and grandiose
finale that leaves a huge impression of contentment. Brilliantly
constructed with recurring Celtic themes (under the leadership
of Troy Donockley) , seasoned with delicate pipes, whistles,
harps and strings, and garnished with colossal orchestrations,
titanic choral effects and opera-like vocals from Hayley
, owner of a spectral voice that will raise the hair on
your back. It's all there, folks, a heady mixture of expert
playing, buzzing bass in tow, tectonic drum blasts, shimmering
guitar phrasings and overpowering keyboard colorations that
will leave one breathless and content. This is easily one
of the finest epic pieces that one will enjoy in 2015.***
As with the entire Karnataka catalog, this is not technical
wizardry or complex multi-suited symphonies that many demanding
progressive fans are constantly searching for but a delightful
prog-folk that serves as a meticulous stargate into the
prog world for the uninitiated. Accessible yet superbly
orchestrated, the feminine style is ideal to woo the gentler
sex, propelled by the sultry and passionate lead vocals
and founded on compact melodies that will adhere to your
soul forever. If you enjoy bands like Panic Room, Mostly
Autumn, Harvest and a slew of similar female vocal fronted
bands, Karnataka is definitely a pioneering band in this
style. Team players they remain firmly, there is never a
feeling of overt show-off tendencies that may be offensive,
as every note is a slave to the spellbinding melody. Every
song is a highlight, a lithesome pearl shining in the emerald
waters of sound, gliding over well-beaten rocks like a vivid
stream searching for some outlet to the faraway sea. Their
best effort yet.***
5 Clandestine cherubs ***
(Thomas
Szirmay)
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