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"While keeping his 70's sound, Astrakhan refines in this "A Slow Ride Towards" the intensity of his progressive compositions to which he associates an epic dimension and delivers even more efficient and hypnotic melodies."
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4/5
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If Astrakhan was able to make the news a year ago with the release of "Astrakhan Superstar's Experience" based on covers of songs from the rock opera "Jesus Christ Superstar", we were looking with interest at the follow-up to "Adrenaline Kiss". It is done with the publication of the third album of the Swedes "A Slow Ride Towards Death" which sees the arrival of Johan Hallgren in replacement of Marcus Jidell on the guitar.
"A Slow Ride Towards Death" is the sequel to "Adrenaline Kiss" that we were hoping for. While keeping his 70's style with a raw and organic vintage sound, Astrakhan refines the intensity of his progressive compositions to which he associates an epic dimension and delivers even more efficient and hypnotic melodies. But the most outstanding is undoubtedly the emotional imprint of the record, whose voice of Alexander Lycke is the lethal weapon to convey all the sensitivity with delicacy as well as intensity, as evidenced by 'Lonesome Cry', 'Take Me With You' or 'What You Resist Will Remain' and its finale of masterly choruses. Many tracks are accompanied by a kind of melancholy and dark ambiences that echo the title of the album, itself inspired by Per Schelander's personal situation, but also by a palpable tension ('Never Let You Go') that is strongly conveyed by the impressive expressiveness of Per Schelander's bass. Quoting Alexander and Per should not make us forget the major participations of Johan Hallgren on guitar and Martin Larsson on drums notably on 'Youtopia', 'Never Let You Go' and its sublime solo, and on the two most direct and fast titles of the album 'Until It Ends' and 'Control'.
It is nevertheless the logic of the band that undeniably comes out of this record that flows from beginning to end with a crazy speed and a beautiful impression of fluidity, mark of well constructed compositions. However, Astrakhan does not simplify its writing, with a care on the keyboards arrangements and some constructions with demanding listening like 'Never Let You Go' and 'M.E 2020'. The ambitious final of almost ten minutes sums up the variety of the record with its tonic first part led by irresistible melodies and its more classical mid-tempo second half.
Astrakhan's music retains all the qualities seen before but gains in expressiveness, emerging in its purest form on several occasions in this album. Astrakhan's progression is linear, with each new album surpassing its predecessor, and "A Slow Ride Towards Death" is surely the best in terms of melodies, emotions and band personality. - Official website
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TRACK LISTING:
 01. Lonesome Cry
02. Take Me With You
03. What You Resist Will Remain
04. Never Let You Go
05. Youtopia
06. Until It Ends
07. Control
08. M.e 2020
LINEUP:
Alex Lycke: Chant
Johan Hallgren: Guitares
Jörgen Schelander: Claviers
Martin Larsson: Batterie
Per Schelander: Basse
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(0) MIND(S) FROM OUR READERS
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(4) COMMENT(S)
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READERS
4/5 (1 view(s))
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STAFF:
4/5 (4 view(s))
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OTHER REVIEWS
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