Astral Experience - 2023 - Clepsidra [mini-review]

(44:07; Art Gates Records)



















Spanish band Astral Experience are out with the album "Clepsidra", and this is a production that might be of interest also for fans of progressive metal. Power metal is at the heart of the proceedings here though, with a tight, pace filled and energetic variety of the form being the most impactful one, although the band will slow things down a bit and make use of some striking and compelling dirty guitar riff cascades at times too. Sometimes with a more elaborate keyboard overlay that adds a symphonic element to the proceedings, on other occasions making use of synthesizers that adds more of an electronic metal vibe to the landscapes explored. On some of the songs the band will also add a progressive touch to the material, with gentler atmospheric laden or flowing interludes, more elaborate arrangements or making use of stronger and more dramatic contrasts to create a stronger impact, and while not a defining element of the album as a whole these are all additions that probably will be found more interesting for fans of progressive metal. An album to seek out by those who tend to enjoy a more contemporary breed of power metal given a bit of a progressive metal seasoning.

Olav "Progmessor" Björnsen, December 2023

Links:
https://www.facebook.com/astralexperience
https://artgatesrecords.com/

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