IQ

British progressive rock legend IQ will release their tenth studio album on the 16th of May. The Road of Bones, contains five tracks with a running time of about an hour. Preview critics see the album in true tradition of Britain’s longest running prog-band, but as well more edgy and heavy than its forerunner, the highly acclaimed Frequency (2009).

'From The Outside In' Sounds like a classic Rock song, but turns out to be a prog Rock song with great vocals from Peter Nicholls! I think about Opeth, Anathema and Steven Wilson whilst listening to it (the sound, the instruments, the orgue,...).
'The Road of Bones' already sounds a bit different, it turns out to be a very emotional and delicate track. A nice thing is the little Japanese ticking sound. One thing is very clear: I absolutely adore this track! Absolutely well-crafted emotional jewel! 'Without Walls' starts with a piano & a synth, very emotional, very delicate. In the end we get a musical outburst with guitars, drums and a dark touch. It reaches the epic count out of 19:16! 'Ocean' comes just when I taught we had it: the epicness of the past songs, well: this one is pretty short and a beauty! I absolutely love the voice, the tenderness of this one, the almost floating sound!
'Until The End' builds up very well and reaches an epic duration of 12:01, starting with an acoustic sound. At some part it reminded me of 'Tower of strength' from The Mission (the acoustic part and the building up of the song). The tempo rises after a while, more synths, an orgue...
I really adore the emotional layers in this diamond! I love the piano/acoustic guitar outro! This one is a keeper, hope to see them on stage one day! I hope they will match up to my expectations! This one is a beauty, a pearl, a diamond... Better than words: just listen to it!

Filip VAN MUYLEM
07/05/2014