Astra – The Weirding
released June 23, 2009 on Rise Above
History repeats itself. 40 years after the world saw the release of King Crimson‘s In the Court of the Crimson King, its influence still rings loudly in any band that even remotely has progressive influences, be it Muse, Necrophagist, or Opeth. However, I can’t name a band that has channelled the classic ’70s prog sound more than Astra.
The Weirding showcases influences from a plethora of bands out of said era. They bring the mellotron of early Crimson, Rush-like synths, Jethro Tull‘s flute playing, and Pink Floyd‘s sense of atmosphere. They have built an incredibly unique sound, though. It’s got the melancholy sound that was used extensively on The Dark Side of the Moon, but also has the freeform jamming feel that The Grateful Dead had. The production is lo-fi, bringing to mind the sound of Can‘s Tago Mago.
The great thing here is that all of these influences are rolled together into one. It’s not like track 1 is in the style of one band, track 2 is in the style of another band, etc. or anything. The sound is extraordinarily cohesive, with the only thing that could possibly be considered and oddball being track 5, the “heaviest” on the album. Everything else is quite similar, though very unique at the same time. They have struck the balance between monotony and distinction.
A Best of 2009 pick!
FCC OK
Try *2*, 3, 4, *5*, 8
01. The Rising of the Black Sun
02. The Weirding
03. Silent Sleep
04. The River Under
05. Ouroboros
06. Broken Glass
07. The Dawning of Orphicus
08. Beyond to Slight the Maze
Rating: 
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