RING VAN MÖBIUS – The 3rd Majesty
- Posted on 21-10-2020
Listening to a record by Ring Van Möbius is a truly joyous journey into playful 70s-inspired prog rock with a psych-like undercurrent to it, and the band’s warm, vibrant, and organic sounds are a delight to lose oneself in. Arguably more abstract and eclectic than its predecessor, “The 3rd Majesty” recalls some of the genre’s greats from the late 60s and early 70s while simultaneously carving out a small musical niche of its own thanks to the power and purpose of the playing as well as its wacky yet brilliantly conceived ideas and inspired lyrics.
There is spontaneity about it, a strong dynamic drive, and a unique melodic flair present – all of which results in a wonderfully eccentric and atmospheric piece of work. In fact, parts of it reminds me of Rick Wakeman’s awe-inspiring “The Six Wives of Henry the XIII”, which is a huge compliment. Fuzzy synthesizers, clever arrangements, trippy melodies, dramatic vocals, and a sense of the surreal are what lie in store for you here.
“The 3rd Majesty” touches many bases and is a challenging listen but neither impenetrable nor unnecessarily complex. I have listened to it countless times now and each spin takes me down a new and exciting avenue that I had not previously explored. The whole affair very much looks to the past, but that does not mean that it is not worth getting your filthy paws on – on the contrary. And before I forget, the artwork and booklet are pretty damn marvelous too. This LP will make your head spin in the most positive sense of the word, and this opus is Norwegian prog rock at its finest.