Snuck one more new album in before the New Year. Ring van Mobius burst onto the scene a couple of years ago with their own brand of retro prog. To be honest I don't remember much about that debut (I have a scratch off note in here somewhere), but I have an excellent rating for it. And perhaps no surprise since Past the Evening Sun was modeled to some extent on Van der Graaf Generator - a band I recently told you all I struggle to recollect regardless. The 3rd Majesty seems to draw from a different well of UK progressive rock. There are some VDGGisms left, but gone is the saxophone, and its place is a barrage of keyboards and fuzz bass. Whereas fellow countrymen Wobbler dabbles with both classic Scandinavian dark prog and all-time favorites Yes, Ring van Mobius borrows from that same Yes, as well as ELP, King Crimson - and the American variant of such. Scoff all you want, but one can even hear Starcastle within these grooves. As is often the case with music like this, the blend is original even if the ingredients are not. Given that I'm an unreconstructed early 70s progger at heart, I find albums like this to be highly satisfying. But not one for those who would like to get past 1974. For my tastes this album challenged Wobbler's latest to the finish line. Superb offering.
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