The Norwegian ensemble Arabs in Aspic will soon release this splendid 2-track EP of theirs on glorious vinyl via Apollon Records Prog and you ought to pay attention here if warm and strangely soothing prog rock with a melancholy vibe to it appeals to you. The two compositions that constitute the EP intensify as they go along and are both quite dense in a lot of ways yet they never lose focus or turn into a convoluted mess.

 

"De Dødes Tjern" and "Step Into the Fire" are feature magnificent bass lines that are beautifully interwoven with dreamy and evocative guitars. There is a sense of the delicate and fragile to the songs that is endearing, but they also possess a wonderful edge and a raw atmosphere that remind yours truly of Uriah Heep and King Crimson in their 70s heydays. In terms of mood and tone, the tunes are more introspective than epic and there is nothing on this release that is too far out or misplaced. In short, this is a true gem of an EP and a stellar prog rock output.

 

http://www.arabsinaspic.org/