Mouth are a band from Cologne, Germany that offers a blend of Progressive Rock and Krautrock. The new album “Gateway” was released on June 09, 2023 via This Charming Man and contains six tracks including the epic title track over 22 minutes long. The epic title-track “Getaway,” which clocks in at over 22 minutes, opens the album and immediately immerses us in the band’s sound. A solid and elaborate rhythm section, enriched by continuous tempo changes that allow the interesting guitar and keyboard textures to evolve. The different facets that make up the style combine retro, Progressive Rock and Krautrock traits with a fresh and modern original imprinting. The band’s compositional and performing technique is enhanced in this long epic suite that explores all the nuances between modern and retro with quality ideas. A track with energetic and engaging passages, forays into Noise and Kraut and more retro Prog openings with warm and expressive vocals reminiscent of the early 70s. The long duration of the track is exploited in its entirety to make the listener appreciate the band’s all-round personal style. The album’s shortest track “On The Boat” features a sound full of distorted guitars, a solid rhythm section and forays into Noise Rock. The guitar work is interesting, as are the modulated and effects-enriched vocals. A short but intense track. “Sea” opens with a softer but still elaborate sound and a carpet of mellotron orchestrations. The intensity increases as the song progresses and the central theme evolves, between layers and modulations of sound, making the track enveloping and at times hypnotic. The listener is pleasantly accompanied on this more than five-minute journey. A gritty sound that combines 70s Rock riffs with a touch of modern Heavy Prog and an effected, aggressive vocal characterise “Purge & Hunt.” A well-constructed blend of heavy sounds and dark atmospheres with keyboard and guitar twists show another facet of the band’s sound. In the middle instrumental section, the band offers a long instrumental insert that combines technical passages and heavy sounds, with very original traits that accompany us to the finale. “Once” alternates between passages with a retro organ and rhythmic pattern reminiscent of late 60s proto-Prog and other energetic, more aggressive vocals. It is interesting how the band manages to create its own personal style by bringing the atmosphere of the late 60s/early 70s period into a modern and original context. The album ends with another short track “Drowning,” featuring an orchestral intro with Mellotron orchestrations. A sche track developing the initial melodies creates a dreamy atmosphere that permeates the track and accompanies us to the finale. A band that succeeds in proposing its own original style and personal traits, exploring through the tracklist the different facets that characterise them. Retro progressive, Krautrock and Noise Rock intertwine to create the sound of Mouth. Listening is enjoyable from start to finish, as is the epic title track, whose long duration is exploited in its entirety by developing quality ideas and passages. A recommended listen for lovers of Progressive Rock sounds pleasantly contaminated thanks to the band’s personal style.
Tracklist
01. Getaway (22:48)
02. On The Boat (02:46)
03. Sea (05:59)
04. Purge & Hunt (05:41)
05. Once (03:56)
06. Drowning (02:49)
Lineup
Christian Koller / Vocals, Guitars & Keyboards
Thomas Johnen / Bass
Nick Mavridis / Drums, Keyboards