Scanning The Dark Horizon is an instrumental concept album and this is the first time that I have encountered such an album; it is a truly unique album as a matter of fact. The John Irvine Band, consisting of John Irvine (guitars, keyboards and bass guitar) and Andrew Scott (drums) is a UK based project, which came into being as a recording band in 2011 when they released their debut album Wait & See. Scanning The Horizon is the first in a planned series of three and the concept deals with science fiction and the ongoing shite mankind has made of the planet's environment. The title track opens this interesting and excellent album and the tone is set for the entire album as the music is filled with melodic guitar passages and melodies and lots of musical influences from Keith Emerson and Pat Metheny. This track and the impressive A World On The Run are the definite highlights here as in the final track Irvine's more than excellent guitar work really shines reminding me of Robert Fripp actually. The Storm Chasers has some characteristics from my favourite band ever, Rush, and Tangerine Dream, due to the keyboards and synthesizers of course. All in all, Scanning The Dark Horizon is an excellent instrumental progressive rock album with a super production and a great musical atmosphere. “It was time to leave Earth. Truth be told, it was time years ago - but we'd held on, waiting for things to get better. They never did, of course. They'd only got worse.” ***+ Martien Koolen (edited by Tracy van Os van den Abeelen) Where to buy? |
