‘Outside In’ is a new project by artists from a country that doesn’t make the headlines in progressive rock, I named New Zealand, but who released their first admirable studio recording. Led by guitarist 'Jonnie Barnard', this first opus 'Karmatrain' is inspired by the philosophical novel 'Siddhartha' by 'Hermann Hesse' (each title being taken from a chapter of the roman) and 'Outside In' evolve in a calm and peaceful progressive rock mixing atmospheric and psychedelic which can make think of formations like 'Edenya', 'Realisea' or 'My Arrival' to name only albums that I reviewed recently.
The album begins with 'Let Me Go', a slow and calm semi-acoustic title in which we discover the delicate song of 'Mickey Brown' with very beautiful vocal arrangements, then, 'Blue Dragon' continues in this peaceful and restful atmosphere with a memorable chorus and the 2 compositions which follow 'Echos and Stepping Stones' and 'Bridges', more rhythmic, while remaining quite quiet, can recall the atmospheres that 'Sting' can put in some of his compositions. Following 'Morning Warning' which unfolds peacefully to the rhythm of a rhythm section marked with very beautiful melodic lines, then 'The Lake' continues in this lively atmosphere with some more supported guitar riffs and, as for 'The Garden of Light', the very slow tempo with a deep bass makes me think of the moods of the Norwegians of 'Gazpacho' or those of the formation 'Nosound'. The rest of the album continues in this atmosphere with a quiet 'Mushrooms' which offers us beautiful vocal harmonies, then with 'Ferryman' which alternates tensions and relaxation, then the most classic 'Pass on the Flag' with accents of variety international of the 80s reminiscent of 'Sade', the album ending first of all with , 'Om', more energetic while keeping a slow tempo and finally with the 8 minutes of 'I Am Not the One' which sums up well the album with variations of intensity recalling the atmospheres of the British of 'Anathema'.
In summary, New Zealanders from 'Outside In' are releasing a very promising first album which improves with listening and ‘Karmatrain’ is intended for an audience who likes a progressive rock mixing atmospheric and psychedelic... | |
