NeBeLNeST - NoVa eXPReSS

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NeBeLNeST - NoVa EXPReSS

Artist:	NeBeLNeST
Title:	NoVa EXPReSS
Label:	Cuneiform RuNe 154
Length(s):	46 minutes
Year(s) of release:	2002
Month of review:	[09/2002]

Line up

Michael Anlsemi - drums, percussion
Cyril Malderez - guitar
Gregory Tejedor - bass, percussion
Olivier Tejedor - keysboards, devices, percussion

Tracks

1)	BLaCKMaiL	9.35
2)	STiMPy BaR	5.12 MP3 or RealAudio
3)	ReDRuM	11.03
4)	CiNeMa 1920	5.00
5)	NoVa EXPReSS	15.32

All sound samples from NoVa eXPReSS appear here by permission of Cuneiform Records.

Summary

This is the second release by this French avant garde prog band.

The music

BLaCKMaiL shows these guys take no prisoners: we're immediately confronted with steaming stuff. The pushing bass is joined by freaky guitars after the initial, making the a bit more freaky at times. As things progress the erraticness slackens, creating room for stability, helped by the heavy keys. Pretty good stuff.

STiMPy BaR is carried by keys, and initially has a distinctly Swedish feel, augmented by the heavy bass, reminiscent of Anekdoten. As the track progresses guitar is added in, making it into a more complete whole (yes, we do consider degree of completeness in wholes). STiMPy BaR is more a complete composition than its predecessor.

ReDRuM has a rather freaky start, with pretty much everybody doing their (or a) thing. After a couple of minutes this mayhem subsides into a hard, jazzrock oriented, section, in itself moving towards more calm waters. This creates the basis for a build up towards the track's climax. Which is pretty good, but, well, not as good as hoped for.

CiNeMa 1920 features twinkly keys, but also some jazzrocky neurotics. Halfway through the instrumentalists come together and build towards a whole. Pretty good , falling short of the other stuff, though.

NoVa eXPReSS shows that not all tracks kick in gear immediately, with a collage of sounds and instruments slowly gaining in strength to then lose it again while converging into a more melodic section. From this brief experimental exercises are made, some more easily digested than others, every time returning to course.

Conclusion

Those who like Anekdoten or Anglagard will find a lot in this album, the heavy basses and strong keys, and recurring tension. And really, for something in this genre this is a pretty easy listen. On closer inspection, some of the parts seems to lack in function for the whole. Not yet Present or Anglagard level, but a very worthwhile album indeed.