AVKRVST: The Approbation (PROGRESSIVE ROCK): review / opinion to read on Music Waves

Avkrvst is the story of two Norwegians - Martin Utby and Simon Bergseth - who, at the age of 7, made a promise to each other to form a rock band. 22 years later, their dream came true with the release of their debut album "The Approbation" on InsideOut.

And the friends decided not to do things by halves, offering a concept album about a bleak soul, left to his own thoughts, isolated in a cabin deep in the dark forests, far from civilization. In keeping with this uplifting theme, the tracks were all written and recorded during a rainy autumn and cold winter in a shelter identical to the one in which the protagonist lives.

With no real surprise, after a brief instrumental introduction, the first notes of 'The Pale Moon' plunge us straight into the melancholy, hypnotic universe popularized by Opeth 2.0, where soaring atmospheres alternate with heavy, aggressive riffs. Opeth 2.0 because "The Approbation" is all clear vocals, with the exception of a few rare growl incursions (such as on the finale of 'The Pale Moon' or the Enslaved-like break of 'The Great White River').

While the shadow of Mikael Åkerfeldt's band clearly hangs over the opening track of this first effort ('The Pale Moon' and the quasi-instrumental 'Isolation'), another reference comes to mind and becomes even more present as the introspective journey progresses. Indeed, in the second half of the album, Avkrvst hints at an even stronger Porcupine Tree influence, starting with the vocal harmonies of 'The Great White River' and 'Arcane Clouds'.

And like any self-respecting progressive band, "The Approbation" closes with two long, epic pieces of 10 and 13 minutes ('Anodyne' and the eponymous track) in which the band prove that they have mastered their manual of the perfect little illustrated modern progressive. The tracks suffer from no real weaknesses, even if the whole thing goes a little round in circles.

We could criticize "The Approbation" for being a little long at the end, and for being too heavily imbued with its references, but for a first effort, the Norwegians prove that they have mastered the progressive codes to perfection. We should be hearing more from Avkrvst in the future... - Official website

AVKRVST

THE APPROBATION

INSIDEOUT MUSIC

PROGRESSIVE ROCK