Artist : Cosmograf

Album : Mind over Depth

Release Date : 12-06-2019

Added : 11-09-2019

Already 2 review written on 'Cosmograf' since the end of 2016 (see here and here) and this is the 3rd album that 'Robin Armstrong' releases in less than 3 years, that is to say the frequency of release of his albums, and, after 'the man who invents a story of kidnapping by aliens' in 2016 and 'The plowman's wife who in his memory builds a scarecrow who lets himself go to daydream' in 2017, the latter opus 'Mind over Depth' is not strictly speaking a concept album that tells a story but rather a reflection on the man who is locked in his bubble by causing all kinds of thoughts that can be beneficial but also harmful by making him lose ground with reality. As usual, the compositions are quite long and take us into a universe where keyboards play an important role with occasional electronic effects, but, theme requires, we navigate between tensions and relaxation and we can locate the style between rock and progressive metal. In addition, Robin's singing sticks quite well to the theme with a voice that gives the impression of coming out of the interior (with a reverb that occasionally accentuates this feeling), sometimes filled with anxiety, sometimes more serene, and spoken voices add to this introspective atmosphere as in the first title 'A Million Choices'. 'Godspeed', which follows is a magnificent crescendo where the introduction is calm and peaceful, and which gradually grows to be more and more tormented and which falls on the end. The continuation continues in this atmosphere of tumultuous interiorization with instrumental and vocal arrangements that fit perfectly to the general atmosphere of the album as in 'Sharks' which is certainly the composition where we cross the most different feelings and, finally, 'Goodbye to all Illusions' which is the most rhythmic title that falls in the last 2 minutes as if he needed to leave this tormented interior. In summary, this last album of 'Robin Armstrong' is certainly less accessible than these predecessors but is probably also the one that goes even further in the progressive approach and, therefore, should appeal to all those who appreciate rock and the progressive metal that unfolds listening after listening ...

Line Up / Musicians

Robin Armstrong (Vocal, Guitar, Bass, Keybords) + Guests : Colin Edwin (Bass), Kyle Fenton (Drums)