Horisont are celebrating ten years in existence with this their fifth album and I’m very happy to say I’ve been with them all the way. Horisont love what they do and it always comes across in their progressive-tinged retro hard rock. Every Horisont album has it’s pleasures, but also marks another step in their evolvement – a further broadening of all the different influences the band likes to incorporate into their already unique sound. And yes, you guessed it was coming …“About Time” is no exception.
Building further on that 70’s progressive edge to their previous release that they did so well, the band have chosen to forgo the idea of long tracks and instead write punchy, short tracks, all crammed full of their own particular quirks. Yet from the moment the opening track smacks you straight between the eyes, it doesn’t matter what style the band choose to explore, the album flows so beautifully, each track into another, so much that it could be…one long track! Psychedelic or what? Still apparent are the moments of Blue Oyster Cult (check out that aforementioned opener ‘The Hive’ – resplendent with one of Axel’s most dynamic vocal performances to date), Vardis, Hawkwind, Wishbone Ash and even ELO (which I alluded to in my review of 2015’s fabulous “Odyssey”), all mixed together with a unique sound that only Horisont have. The hints of Thin Lizzy that always lingered on the edge of the band’s overall sound come right to the fore within the twin guitar and vocal lines of ‘Night Line’ and ‘Without Warning’ – though twin guitar is splashed wonderfully throughout the album (not least on the unashamedly UFO-esque ‘Dark Sides’ and the early Scorpions lilt to ‘Electrical’).
So most of this might seem like the kind of thing you have come to expect from Horisont, but they never rest, they are always looking to push things ever further and every album has it’s surprises – for instance The angsty-yet-prog of ‘Point Of No Return’ is pure Nazareth, but with a touch of Kansas (which still works!). ‘Boston Gold’ is a strange one, which in it’s attempt to emulate 70’s catchiness just ends up reminding me of Bee Gees ‘Tragedy’…well the intro does anyway, the rest of the song nicely incorporates a bit of galloping Thin Lizzy and a little more Nazareth. I wasn’t sure about this track to start with, but this is Horisont and the fast forward button never gets pressed…each track instead tends to grow, because every song has it’s place on an album that really is the sum of it’s parts.
All too soon the diverse, reflective title track draws the whole thing to a close and it’s time to enjoy the whole album once more. As it plays again (and again…) you realize there’s always something going on somewhere in every track that is interesting and enjoyable whether it’s your particular taste or not, because Horisont do it all so endearingly and so honestly that they are going to find their way into your head somehow. There’s no denying, “About Time” is another step forward (with a little step to the side, a hop, a quick shuffle and maybe a heel-click, just to keep you on your toes!) for a band on their own cosmic journey. So come on, join me, let’s ride with them a while on their psychedelic 70’s trip through time – there may be snacks…vol-au-vents if we’re lucky…a Horisont Vol-au-vent…duuuude, that rhymes…maaaannn….that’s deeeep….
(8.5/10 Andy Barker)
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