Have you ever experienced that feeling of deep disappointment and anti climax, after what feels an interminable wait for something?....... That's exactly how I feel at this precise moment upon hearing the debut album from STORM CORROSION. On paper, what more could you ask in the field of progressive rock / metal, Mikael Akerfedlt from Opeth and Porcupine Tree's Steven Wilson collaborating, surely a marriage made in Prog heaven. The creative hubs behind two of the most influential bands within the progressive genre of the last twenty years must surely produce one of the great albums of the century, perhaps even longer...........or perhaps not.
I should have trusted my intial instinct, finding lead track and album opener "Drag Ropes" less than riveting, ultimately setting the tone for the whole collection, tracks which meander musically with no real focus or purpose. Imagine being faced with the ultimate in log flumes, instead of lowering yourself into a boat, driven and channelled to a summit, before plunging thrillingly downwards, the vessel proves rudder and directionless, floating aimlessly around. On six occasions the opportunity to climb towards the peak of the ride thwarted, until after 48 minutes, completely frustrated and deflated it's time to leave.
Not a single one of the six tracks which form this eponymous collection, holds the attention, barely providing a single memorable moment. Briefly "Hag" offers hope, a guitar crashes, pounding drums invade before all too quickly fading away. However much concentration is applied to any of these songs, before long, the mind wanders to anything other than the music.
I'm sure initially, some will claim trying to convince themselves, this to be a work of genius, although I can guarantee in weeks, rather than months or years, if Akerfeldt or Wilson are at the forefront of the mind, Opeth and Porcupine Tree albums will be played, not Storm Corrosion.
Many, many years ago, I came across a band named Blind Faith. A 60's supergroup incorporating a line-up of Eric Clapton, Steve Winwood, Ric Grech and Ginger Baker. Again, a band containing luminaries of the era, which just couldn't fail. The disillusionment I felt on hearing that album for the first time, resurrected and magnified ten fold thirty years later.
http://stormcorrosion.com/
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