Album review: ANXTRON – Brainstorm
Self-release www.anxtron.com
I guarantee if you heard this album playing in the background of your local wine bar, you’d find it strangely addictive as you got progressively inebriated. That’s not being disrespectful to Anxtron, it could be the perfect antidote to a hard day at the office. It’s refreshing to hear an all-instrumental album evidently inspired, but not ruled, by classic prog.
The opener ‘ 1037′ is a good enough taster with its Camel-like synth bassline and a general vibe that almost sets it in 1975 Continental Europe when there was a swathe of instrumental prowess coming from bands like PFM, Supersister and Alquin.
‘Ant Attack’ is extremely catchy whilst ‘Skyscraper’ opens with the bombast of Ozric Tentacles but soon veers into another Continental Europe mid-seventies masterpiece. And this band are from Brazil.
’Tull Lake’ doesn’t sound anything like the one-legged flautist but I’ve no doubt the band – and the guitarist – are influenced by the Flying Dutchmen but without the yodels. It’s marvellous to hear some organic guitar and synth interplay and a band willing to make a bold statement without vocals. It also brings to mind an album that fellow GRTR! scribe Alan Jones raved over this year – from the Dutch band Toyz.
Check out also their YouTube video for ‘The Oasis’ when they supported Marillion in Rio de Janeiro in October 2012 (the album was recorded in 2011 and this is a new song).
Often with the “immediate” album, the novelty wears a little thin after a time. I mean how is this going to sound away from that wine bar? Well, if you have a half-decent hi-fi system, probably quite good. There is some virtuoso playing here from guitarist Eduardo and Gabriel Aquino (keys) and a fine rhythm section (Rafael Marcolino – drums – and Jose Marcus – bass – although the current bassist is Gabriel Souza) It remains tuneful throughout and hugely enjoyable. ****
Review by David Randall
David Randall presents ‘Assume The Position’ on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio every Sunday at 22:00 GMT.
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David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 1 December 2024.
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Power Plays w/c 9 December 2024
In this sequence we play ‘The Best of 2024′ GRTR! reviewer selections
Featured Albums w/c 9 December 2024
09:00-12:00 The Best of 2024 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2024 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2024 (Singer Songwriter)
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