Argos -
Halfway Between Heaven And Mirth


(CD 2024, 47:11, 8Merch)

The tracks:
  1- Marshmallow Moon(3:42)
  2- The Fire of Life(5:13)
  3- Fidgety Philip(4:20)
  4- Fontanelli's Dream(3:34)
  5- Make Me Smile(4:28)
  6- The Other Life(1:51)
  7- Daedalus Machines(20:17)
         - i. Contemplation
         - ii. Rupture
         - iii. Pandemonium
         - iv. Serenity
         - v. Labyrinth
         - vi. Predicament
         - vii. Temperance
         - viii. Fortitude
  8- Marshmallow Moon (alt. version)(3:46)

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Argos, the notorious German prog rock band, formed in 2005, now release their seventh studio album called Halfway Between Heaven And Mirth and after a couple of spins I can honestly say that Argos "delivered" a fine neo-prog style album. Along with the core line-up of Thomas Klarmann (bass guitar, flute, vocals), Robert Gozon (vocals, guitar), Bogati-Bokor Akos (guitars, vocals) and Ulf Jacobs (drums), this album also features a couple of guest appearances, like: Andy Tillison (keyboards), Marek Arnold (saxophone) and Alexei Tolpygo (violin).

The album opens with the short, dynamic Marshmallow Moon and that one is a true prog rock song with obvious Canterbury influences, follow up The Fire Of Life also is a modern blend of Canterbury and progressive rock. Fidgety Philip, again a rather short song, has a sort of jazzy feeling and that is mainly due to the rhythm section. Fontanelli's Dream - again a rather weird title - is the shortest song of the album and that one is very intense and pure prog rock indeed. Make Me Smile is again a mixture of prog and Canterbury featuring funky rhythms and jazzy instrumental parts, while The Other Life is a sort of interlude filled with keys and vocals. Finally, the listener is treated to a 100% epic suite, clocking in over twenty minutes, Daedalus Machines is a prog rock "monster" filled with guitar, flute, organ, and emotional vocals. Especially the long instrumental sections are a real treat highlighting the musical talents of this band. Check out the end of this epic, featuring a marvellous instrumental passage added with lots of bombastic orchestration; this is neo prog rock at its best. If you listen very carefully, you will also, besides Canterbury, "hear" influences from Camel, Gentle Giant, and Caravan; so, play it LOUD and enjoy.

Argos has a great original sound, and their seventh studio album is an album to cherish; indeed, so highly recommended!

***+ Martien Koolen (edited by Tracy van Os van den Abeelen)

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