Agropelter The Book Of Hours PV035
Agropelter - The Book of Hours
Label: The Laser’s Edge
Released: 25th July 2025
Time: 44:54
Tracks
1. Flute Of Peril (2:24)
2. Levitator (5:49)
3. Burial Mound (3:22)
4. The Book Of Hours Part I (11:07)
5. The Book Of Hours Part II (6:21)
6. The Book Of Hours Part III (6:48)
7. The Book Of Hours Part IV (9:03)
Agropelter is Kay Olsen’s new project and is firmly rooted in the symphonic, analogue, progressive rock tradition. Hailing from Norway, Kay plays all guitars, bass, Hammond and church organ, and keyboard leads. And if mention of church organs and Hammond organs doesn’t get you all tingly in your swimsuit area, then a) you’re probably on the wrong website and b) but how about Mellotron, ARP and Moog synthesizers and bass pedals? I know, right? As the young people say.
Some of the players joining Kay include Jonas Reingold on fretless bass; Mattias Olsson on percussion, Mellotron, overdubs and atmosphere; and Andreas Sjøen on drums. They themselves are joined by a host of classical musicians on various strings and woodwinds, encompassing grand piano, harpsichord, cello, double bass, alto flute, flute, bassoon, and duduk.
Mixing and mastering duties are ably performed by the genius that is Jacob Holm-Lupo at Dude Ranch Studios. And I don’t use the term genius loosely. If you’re reading this then you know all about Jacob’s musical endeavours I’m sure, but you may not know as much about his mixing/mastering work. Let me just say that Jacob is responsible for the sound of one of my favourite albums like, er, ever, in the form of ‘A Second Past’ by Bill Bressler. Which sounds truly amazing. And which you’d do well to think bodes well for this record. And you’d be right to think that, for Jacob has sprinkled his magic sonic dust (not a euphemism) all over this, and given us, along with Kay and colleagues, a truly splendid modern symphonic prog album in the grandest tradition.
The critical response thus far seems to be universally positive. And rightly so. And the only real ‘negative’ review I’ve been able to find describes the record as “(T)oo flawless, too perfectly arranged, performed and engineered, in brief, too masterpiece-like to be a masterpiece”. And no, I have no idea what that means either. But this is what happens when people are given two thumbs and access to the internet.
But enough of me babbling. For it’s probably time to introduce the only caveat to this review, in that I know not everyone is a fan of purely instrumental prog. For this is that. But oddly enough, unlike some instrumental albums, you barely notice the absence of vocals here. For there is so much going on you’re in a constant state of rapt involvement with the material. Especially if you’re wearing some headphones. And yes, there are foot-tapping moments a-plenty. As well as lighters aloft (watch the curtains) prog ecstasy moments. But also more introspective sections. And the angry crow at the beginning. And did I mention the Moogs, mellotrons, Jonas on fretless bass, ARP synths, church organs, and of course bass pedals? But of course I did.
There are too many standout moments to mention them all, but how about the mellotron opening of Flute of Peril, complete with bird song (more like an angry crow) leading into the guitar solo that raises the hairs on the back of my neck every time I hear it? Then there’s the opening guitar work, bass pedals and church organ in Levitator. Yes please, vicar. Jonas’s sublime fretless bass work on Burial Mound is a joy to behold. The synths (paging Mister Kelly) in the opening section of TBOH pt II and the choir mellotron and guitar solo midway through are truly tremendous and it’s fitting, I think, that we close the review out with the behemoth that is the eponymous epic track. And as we all know, if we listened to Not The AmericanPrög Show on Progzilla Radio, Dead Bob loves eponymouses. And who are we to argue?
Spread across four sections, totalling over 33 minutes in length, The Book Of Hours is everything we love about progressive rock music. Played and produced by exceptionally talented people. It’s dripping in analogue warmth, and even though I’ve listened to it umpteen times now, it never fails to leave me smiling at the end. In fact were this a YouTube review you’d see I’d been grinning like a Cheshire Cat throughout the entire tune. In fact the album as a whole has that rare capacity nowadays to make you feel good. Yes, remember feeling good? Happy? With all the doom, gloom, and despondency going on right now it’s a rare thing to find something that can lift one’s mood this much that isn’t illegal. But it’s certainly addictive, has an organ climax (but of course), and I’d be very surprised not to see it feature in many Album of the Year lists in a few months’ time.
Tech stuff: Tidal Flac 48kHz 24bit through Roon into WiiM Pro Plus, Cambridge Audio DacMagic 200M, Little Dot MK III tube amp, PreSonus Eris E5 Active Monitors, and Sennheiser HD 650 headphones.
Band website: https://agropeltermusic.com/
Bandcamp: https://lasersedge.bandcamp.com/album/the-book-of-hours
Dude Ranch Studio: https://www.duderanchstudio.com/
Author Brian Watson