Aragon – The Calm Before The Storm
At last, the wait is over! There is new music from Aragon, and we think it was well worth the wait: “The Calm Before The Storm”.
The Australian Prog Rock band Aragon, formed in 1987, are probably best known for their 1995 concept album “Mouse”, their debut “Don’t Bring The Rain”, or perhaps their “Rocking Horse” saga. So far, two parts of the saga have appeared in various forms, and after a long absence from the music scene, Aragon have now made a surprising return with the track “The Calm Before The Storm”, subtitled “Act 3 of the Rocking Horse Saga”.
At just over 11 minutes, the track delivers Aragon’s distinctive neo-progressive approach in familiar fashion. First and foremost, of course, there is the voice of Les Dougan, instantly recognisable from the moment he starts singing.
The track begins gently, with acoustic guitar and flute sounds combined with sensitive vocals and folk influences. The drums join in and a wonderful, warm melody immediately draws you in. But the mood soon shifts towards darker territory, with dramatic synths and trembling vocals steering the music into something increasingly ominous. Distorted guitars and slightly hysterical laughter finally shatter the cheerful atmosphere of the opening.
Aragon are particularly skilled at carrying the listener through these changes with breaks and shifts in mood, moving between keyboard and synth passages and lively Prog Rock sections. Towards the end, atmospheric moments and backing choirs, together with the returning acoustic guitar, eventually bring the song back to calmer waters.
“The Calm Before The Storm” is unmistakably Aragon as we know them. Classic Neo-Prog at its finest, with wonderful melodies, intriguing twists and turns, and a fantastic singer whose distinctive voice remains as captivating as ever.
Whether a full new album from the Australians will follow remains unknown. It would certainly be welcome, because this song leaves us hungry for considerably more.
Author: Kerbinator