Gazpacho- Magic 8 Ball Progressive Voyages Review PV079

Gazpacho- Magic 8 ball – Progressive Voyages Review PV079

Magic 8 Ball is the 12th and latest album from Norway’s Prog giants Gazpacho, it is also there first output in 5 years apart from the lockdown version of Firewalker live at St Croix. Recorded and released when all their activities ceased due to the coronations pandemic of 2020.

This new album centres around the theme of Fate how it affects and 8nteracts with our lives, it is in part based on the concept of The Ship Of Theseus which is Philosophical Paradox about Identity which asks if an object remains the same if its original parts are replaced over time it uses the example of Perseus’s ship as a ship whose planks replace themselves over time to poses this conundrum,

Now I’m sure that you can explore this concept for yourself but it’s useful to know this concept whilst listening to the album as it is a key to understanding and appreciating the music more completely.

The album begins with Starling, I always find that Gazpacho are a band who sound songs and albums are emotionally laden and driven, this means that you are going to experience a sonic journey. This opening track certainly does that as you, listen to

its bleak soundscapes.

Next track We Are Strangers has a very 80’s electronic sound to it think Ultra ox and the like, a striking vocoder part and a chugging synthesiser line open the track, the chorus of We Are Strangers in very strong as the song explores elements of luck in your life, this is a great track very upbeat for Gazpacho it even has a guitar solo in the mix!

Sky King is next this is a mellotron driven sound that harks back to earlier Gazpacho songs like The Wizard of Altai Mountains (from Demon) and The Walk as it continues themes from those songs.

This is followed by Ceres which is a much shorter track one with crunchy guitars amongst the various keyboard sounds, the song is about Ceres the God of the harvest and the gamble that is in a world of ever-changing weather patterns, this is a well observed and delivered song I like the keyboards especially.

Gingerbread Man is next and whilst this is an interestingly constructed song somehow it doesn’t seem to find its peak, it seems to meander somewhat without any direction and suffers as a result, a pity as it seems to have some interesting ideas and concepts, it’s all a bit leaden and monotone in places where a change of tempo may have enlivened the song, again missed opportunity here I feel.

8-Ball is far better as it details the struggles that an addiction takes a toll on an individual, the song is upbeat despite its downbeat content in fact it’s a total contrast between content and sound, it may only be a shorter track but it’s a very good one at that.

Immmerwahr (Always True) is next and this is a brooding expansive soundscape of a track, its epitome everything that is good about Gazpacho it has an emotional openness that connects deeply.

Even better is the final track Unrisen which references space like concepts (A recurring theme for Gazpacho). This is about being lost in space or being unable to get to space again, this song is really epic in its sound with an excellent synthesiser part towards its conclusion, I love the dynamics of this track I think it could be awesome live.

That concludes what has been a very fine album from Gazpacho, OK a few tracks lose their way at times but overall it is a decidedly worthwhile listen

Why not have a listen and decide for yourself. I think you might just like it especially if moody Norwegian Prog is your thing as there is much to enjoy here .

Another thing is that Gazpacho still remain with the same personnel as on previous albums

Namely Jan Henrik Ohme – Vocals, Thomas Anderson – Keyboards Jon Arne Vilbo – Lead Guitar, Michel Kromer Violin and guitar, Robert johansen – Drums and Percussion, and finally Kristian Torp – Bass Guitar

I will say the guitar seems to take a greater role this time around which is a sound that I like in this new incarnation of this legendary Norwegian outfit.

Info here: www.gazpacho.bandcamp.com