Frost*, still a rather unknown band unfortunately, has always been one of my favourite prog rock bands. Their debut album Milliontown (2006) is a true classic and I still listen to that one a lot. Three years ago, Frost released Day And Age (see review) and that one became one of my favourite albums of 2021, as that remarkable album was packed with musical power, irony, humour, and extraordinary guitar playing by John Mitchell. Now, UK progressive rockers Frost* release their best album called Life In The Wires, a double concept album and the story of Life In The Wires revolves around Naio, an aimless child heading for a meaningless future in an A.I. run world. Naio hears an old DJ talking on the ancient AM radio of his mother and he goes on a quest to find out who the person behind the Livewire radio broadcasts is; however the All-Seeing Eye is on the boy's trail, trying to prevent him from connecting with the mysterious man on the radio. This album is in fact also a continuation from Frost*'s previous album, as the first song on the new album - Life In The Wires Part 1 - starts with the end of the last track Repeat To Fade from Day And Age. Gem Godfrey (vocals, keys), John Mitchell (guitars, vocals) and Nathan King (bass guitar) are again joined by Craig Blundell on drums and this classic Frost* line up has made their most ambitious and best prog rock album by far, offering almost ninety minutes of music over fourteen exquisite songs indeed. So, after the short opener Skywaving where Livewire calls out: Can You Hear Me? Frost* are off with the title track, featuring an addictive refrain and those Frost* typical up tempo prog musical characteristics. In other words, a brilliant start followed by This House Of Winter, dominated by a beautiful piano riff and intricate soundscapes reminding me of good old Marillion. Evaporator is an upbeat, funky song, while Absent Friends is a wonderful, dramatic delicate piano-based ballad, followed by the impressive instrumental prog rock rollercoaster School (introducing the All-Seeing Eye). Idiot Box is without any doubt the heaviest track of the album, featuring almost metal-like musical passages and riffs. So, the musical diversity is enormous, every style can be enjoyed on Frost*'s latest album, straightforward rock, ballads, heavy rock and last but not least excellent progressive rock. Frost* saves the best for last, as Life In The Wires is mind blowing with the final three songs: Moral And Consequence (a song with a super addictive hook), Life In The Wires Part 2 (the absolute best song of the entire album) and Starting Fires, a simple beautiful melodic song, being the perfect ending to an almost perfect prog rock album. The epic Life In The Wires Part 2, clocking in at almost sixteen minutes, is one of the best prog rock songs I have heard this year, as this one has it all. It is complex, it is extraordinary, it is stunning; a remarkable prog composition, showing Frost* at its strident best, so play it LOUD and be amazed for sure!! Conclusion: Frost* has made an exquisite prog album, and it is not only one of the best albums that Frost* have done, but it is also one of the best albums of this year. Life In The Wires is an essential, must have modern prog rock album without fillers and it needs to be experienced as a whole and the more you listen to it the better this album becomes. If you think that Milliontown and Day And Age were wonderful albums, then you will be overwhelmed by Life In The Wires, so get your copy asap and enjoy and of course play it LOUD. ***** Martien Koolen (edited by Tracy van Os van den Abeelen) Where to buy? |
