Vantre - 2023 - Sanji [mini-review]

(15:28; Vantre)



















French band Vantre are out with the EP "Sanji", and progressive rock is arguably the tradition this creation is the best fit for, among a few other options. This is a sprawling 15 minute affair that cover and include quite a lot of different ground, where hard rock and possibly stoner rock may be something of a foundation with hard and booming riffs and rhythms as the main recurring element. We are also taken into psychedelic landscapes here with some expressive guitar work, and the boundaries between psychedelic rock and noise rock are challenged at times. The song also takes a side step into calmer pastures with a bit more of a jazz-oriented mode of delivery, and midways we also get an elongated visit into a realm with more of an ambient expression with a distinct cosmic style mood and atmosphere. That the song concludes with a bit of metal intensity probably merits a mention too, as well as the fact that the song is an instrumental one. On a small side note, on a personal level I'm one of those people that will always associate the word Sanji with a character from Japanese popular culture. I don't know if there are any intentions in that department from the band here, but it is a small detail worth mentioning nonetheless. Apart from that, this is an interesting epic track that those fond of hard progressive rock explored with an expansive and inclusive spirit probably should find to be quite the interesting ride.

Olav "Progmessor" Björnsen, November 2023

Links:
https://www.facebook.com/vantremusic

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