Galasphere 347 - The Syntax Of Things -Progressive Voyages Review PV130

Galasphere 347 are a collaborative project from various members of White Angalard (Matthias Olsson) Stephen James Bennett (Henry Fool) Keyboards and guitar as well as vocals.Kestil Vestrum Einarsen Flute and Programming, with guest appearances from Bjorn Riis (Airbag - Guitar) Mike Clifford (Henry Fool) Saxophone, Jacob Holm Lupo ( White Willow) Bass and John Jowitt (IQ) Bass The project is named after a children's TV show from the 1960's space Patrol.

Together these fellows have collaborated on a second album coming some 8 years after their debut in 2018, Athough this incarnation of the band is a far less musically aggressive than that debut was, As this one is a little gentler in tone.

The album commences with Hiraeth part 1 (Chronos) which employs a lot of sound effects to tell its story which seems to relate to looking back at an earlier time of life and youthful angst and desire to change things for the better. The song is wistful and full of longing for those simpler times and experiences.

This is followed by the lengthier Life As An Architect ( Hestia) the song is about a female architect and how she balances her work with building in contrast to the mess she makes of her life, This is a rather unusual song that not only has great words, but also has a lengthy instrumental section with some great guitar, Keyboards and Flute segments all working together to make this a very good song indeed.

Broken Bones is next and this has a very jolly opening keyboard motif, However the song itself is actually pretty dark, Bleak in tone. It has an interesting sound with some strong guitar and an excellent Saxophone solo from Myke Clifford alongside those fabulous guitar lines of Bjornn Riis, So despite its somewhat bleak lyrics I do actually like this song especially in the long instrumental exchanges.

Nighthawks (NYX) is next again this has a gentle rather mellow opening to it, The s9ng is about a man whose life iss uncertain and lack meaning, A man alone but not through choice, is is quite a sad song really, but it portrays those emotions very well.

Persephone follows and this has an interesting musical opening section it is actually rather muscular in tone with lots happening throughout this opening part, The song is one of regret fir how the vocalist treated someone very badly, by restraining her vitality and exuberance unduly, Thinking that he relives and regrets his actions more each day, it is a warning to each of us to value those we love and to encourage them rather than keeping them down, Contained and controlled, again this song has a most impressive sound with great synthesiser line and great bass playing, Drums are excellent as indeed are they throughout the entire album, Whilst it is a sad song, it is still a very good one.

Title track The Syntax Of Thing (Athena) is another longer track whi h mea s plenty of time for some stellar musical interactions to occur, Again the song is actually pretty sad as this song is about the Projection of perfection achieved by living a perfect life on social media when in reality one is falling apart spectacularly, Despite the sadness of the words the guitar solo from Bjorn Riis is positively aspirational in tone, and offering a sense that there is hope for a better future, it is fabulous track and performance from all involved.

Final song is hireath part 2 (Aion) which again has a very symphonic sounding opening section with a great guitar line from Bjorn Riis once again, The song returns to the events of the opening track Hireath part one and its nostalgic view of the past, Once again we are invited to open those doors once again and to deal with the feelings that invokes in us so we can move forward with our lives again.So in this we go full circle and can continue once more free of the past and with new hop3 for the future once again, The closing guitar solo from Bjorn Riis is highly lyrical and impressive and closes the album in real style

9verall I found this to be a very fine effect album of great songs and some undeniably fine music from an extremely talented and creative team of collaborators,

Very highly recommended from here. Very enjoyable album indeed.

Info here: galasphere347.bandcamp.com.

Author John Wenlock-Smith Friday 19th February 2026b.