Ambient Den - Ambient Den

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The Coronavirus (covid) Certainly had a major effect on the world with all the various lockdowns and curtailment of various freedoms, However it also has a positive effect on many musicians who strove to explore new avenues to get their music over to listeners with Prog Muso's embracing these challenges in a mostly positive manner, often creating new music or bringing existing project further to the fore, this new album,

Their debut actually from Australian amalgamation of Ben Craven Tim Bennett’s and Dean Povey under the name Ambient Den ( An Anagram of Tim, Ben and Dean) was inspired by lockdown to echo the great Progressive Rock bands of the 1970’s, Think of the chemistry of David Gilmour and Rick Wright or Mike Rutherford and Tony Bank As these are the reference points for this collaborative project from Ben, Tim and Dean. Realised here.

The album consists of six tracks and is further boosted by the addition of 4 songs in their edited form. This albums is released in late July.

So what can we expect you ask?

The album begins with Future history part 1 which is a brief synth wash laden soundscape with acoustic guitar from Ben Craven culminating in a very David Gilmour like surge of Electric Guitar, This lead into the first longer track For All mankind which introduces Tim Bennett’s keyboards and Dean Povey’s drums, vocal from all parties Make this a great song, speaking as it does if a communal aspirations for the world, it is a hopeful optimistic song, with lots of time changes and signatures, all very impressive stuff really, I like this a lot, you can definitely hear the influences if Tony Banks and Richard Wright here, alongside the style of Dave Gilmour, it’s a great track, lots happening musically with it  as well , the longer solo towards then end from Ben Craven is very expressive too, very tasty indeed. Ben also provides the strong bass work for the album

Next track is Provenance which has an opening reminiscent of Comfortably Numb, it’s a great opening salvo that certainly grabs the attention as does Ben’ lyrical guitar line for this great instrumental piece. Here Ben gets to exhibit all his secret and hidden Dave Gilmour touches Textures and sounds to great effect. The guitar work is phenomenal, very Floydian in tone and style, Ben is not a copyist he is definitely influenced by though it has to be said truly fabulous.

Earthrise follows and again we are in Floydian territory, here though the keyboards lay down a sound the Rick Wright would definitely approve of, Which is high praise indeed,

This is further bolstered by great guitar from Ben, both acoustic and electric, the keyboards shimmer in the background as the lines about Earthrise suitably enhance the sound at the right point as the music swells like an earthrise against the moon, before a stirring guitar solo emerges, and a rampaging bassline is heard, absolutely superb stuff and a great sound , This album is possibly the best that Pink Floyd never made it is simply stunning.

Terraforming is next this opening with keyboards mostly Piano with acoustic guitar from Ben, this is another instrumental track, initially before drums start at the 1 minutev40 mark and Ben takes his first solo, using slide to great effect, the bass is solid in this section as are the keyboards and indeed the drums which are rock solid, there are vocalisations in this track but no vocals as such, these fit the track extremely well there is a great hammond section at the 4:40 mark as ben begins a second solo, the sound here is truly amazing, its really joyful experience hearing this long (Sixteen and a half minute) track, truly exquisite and captivating piece of music, Ben plays up a storm demanding attention and rightfully getting it with this performance! Incredible stuff

I am in awe, Speechless this is that good, One of the best things I’ve heard in ages, this track certainly makes the album a necessity for anymore, it’s that good!

The closing section of the track has more vocalisations and a very Pink Floyd vibe to it as the song draws to a conclusion there is yet more guitar and bass interactions, this track is very impressive, highly impressive even. A winner from me for sure, this is a track you need to hear, it’s that good, the track end with piano

The main part of the album ends with the funky sounding, Future History Part 2 which has a good swing and vibrancy to it, it sure has a funky groove to it, the bass here is excellent very expressive and surges driving the track along with lots of class and style,

What more can I say apart from Floyd fans will think they’ve died and gone to heaven with this remarkable album from these three Australians talents, who have dug deep into the liking for Pink Floyd to offer this truly brilliant offering

I can only urge you to check this fantastic album out for yourself and discover this excellent and exciting set of strong progressive music.

Info here: Ambient Den | Ambient Den https://www.ambientden.com/