Hieronymus Dream is a Greek band that preferred to remain anonymous and not reveal the names of the artists involved, offering German-inspired music halfway between Kosmische Musik and Krautrock. They sequentially released their debut EP and first full-length “Nostos” via The Weird Beard Records between September and October 2021. Contains 6 tracks between 4 and 9 minutes in duration entirely instrumental, except for two inserts narrated in German, inspired by Homer‘s epic The Odyssey. The album opens with “Odysseus Raft” a track that immediately plunges us into the sound atmosphere of the album, with repetitive and enveloping melodies. The first narrative insert in German introduces a change with the entry of the rhythm session and the track evolves with intertwining between guitar and keyboard that combine the Cosmic tradition with the Krautrock. The intensity increases with the passage of the song, those who know this type of sound know that the tracks evolve continuously between effects and spatial keyboards. “The Island Of Lotus Eaters” has more rhythmic drumming and more electronic sounds and an engaging groove that brings tradition into a modern context. Good work of the guitar and synth and a driving rhythm session that recalls the sounds of bands like NEU!. The shorter track on the album “Circe’s Secret” has a darker vibe to the sounds, with guitar and synth intertwining taking center stage. The drumming is driving and the track is well processed and 70’s style, adding its own personal touch. The second narrated vocal passage introduces us to “Scylla and Charybdis” with another good groove, solid and engaging and an interesting work of layering guitars. The second part is enriched by tempo changes and an intricate rhythmic session, to then give space to space keyboards, to then return to the initial theme and close, one of the best pieces of the disc. “Uranometria” has a pulled rhythm session and distorted guitar inserts showing a harder facet of their sound and deep bass lines. A cosmic journey that takes us into deep space with good guitar and guitar cues, as always skilfully enriched by effects. The album closes with the longer track “Land of Vraltar” which presents a slower rhythmic session and a darker atmosphere with electronic sounds. The synth here is the master of the scene, with the guitar arpeggios that are layered and the cosmic sounds free to express their full potential. A beautiful journey that for over 9 minutes takes us very far with the mind, where the influence and the references to the music of Klaus Schulze or Tangerine Dream are revisited with their personal style. A band that immediately intrigued me for the choice to remain anonymous, and after listening to the good debut confirmed my expectations in this second work. The ability to make the sounds of the 70s Kosmische Musik of German origin current, revisiting them with your own personal touch is well done. Their sonic exploration continues and leads us into their world. An engaging listening and recommended for lovers of Cosmic music, with long instrumental sections made of intertwining guitar and synths enriched with effects and a solid and driving rhythm session.
Tracklist
1. Odysseus Raft (07:19)
2. The Island Of Lotus Eaters (07:41)
3. Circe’s secret (04:22)
4. Scylla and Charybdis (05:25)
5. Uranometria (07:02)
6. Land of Vraltar (09:22)
1 thought on “[Review] Hieronymus Dream – Nostos”