Ticket To The Moon are a Swiss band formed in 2003 that plays progressive sounds halfway between Rock and Metal. Their third album “Elements” was released on September 25, 2022 and contains 11 medium-length tracks, entirely instrumental. The opening track “The Impact” is a symphonic, cinematic-sounding intro that leads us into the following. “Elements“, which is the title track, immediately shows the band’s heavy imprinting, skilful in combining symphonic and orchestral parts with progressive traits. A mixture of Rock and Metal with massive guitar riffs, a graphic and elaborate rhythm section full of tempo changes. The sound is choral, with elaborate passages and a good malgam between the instruments with well-constructed riffs and textures. “Pulsar B0531+21” is a one-minute atmospheric interlude. Dreamy atmospheres with piano and guitar arpeggios open “Ebb & Flow,” which turns into an energetic track with powerful guitar riffs. The rhythm section is solid and constantly evolving, and the sound alternates between heavier and softer passages. A succession of tempo changes and refined textures, atmospheric parts and others more energetic and engaging. The cinematic nuance of the band’s sound gives the imprint to the sound of “St Elmo’s Fire” a track with excellent guitar work and orchestrations. In some passages the riffs become harder, and the song flows more linearly, but still very refined and well constructed. A mixture of bombastic keyboards and powerful riffs with a sombre touch “Crossing Skies,” is a gritty track, showing the band’s more metal side. Continuous tempo changes and forays into more modern Progressive Metal sounds, with a softer middle section where the guitar offers a prolonged and intense solo. In the finale, there is a return to the initial theme and the song concludes with darker stretches. “Pulsar B2020+28” is another short-lived interlude with effects and dilated atmospheric sounds. Soft guitar arpeggios and a keyboard background with a minimal rhythm section characterise “Xyz.” The most delicate and dreamy track on the album, showing a softer, more symphonic side to the band’s sound, very sweet and pleasant. Continuing on the softer sounds of the previous “Origins” shows instead the darker side of the band, with arpeggios and a deep bass line. The drumming is minimal, while a change in the finale increases the intensity and transforms the atmosphere with more positive melodies enriched by orchestrations. “Behind the Mist” features a hypnotic bass line and guitar arpeggios, developing between continuous tempo changes and a softer sound. In the second part the intensity increases, proposing a progressive rock with heavy traits enriched by guitar solo interventions, concluding in an almost Metal-like musical crescendo. The disc ends with “Pulsar Punta Salinas Radar” which is the shortest track in duration characterised by atmospheric sounds and sound modulations. An entirely instrumental album offering some tracks that are more Metal, others more Rock, always with a Progressive imprint. The guitar and keyboards interweave well, giving an orchestral touch to the sound, while the rhythm section is always solid and elaborate, and is enriched with tempo changes. This is recommended listening for lovers of instrumental Prog, favouring a group sound and less virtuosity, creating a good malgam between the instruments.
Tracklist
01. The Impact (2:40)
02. Elements (6:09)
03. Pulsar B0531+21 (1:19)
04. Ebb & Flow (7:53)
05. St Elmo’s Fire (4:46)
06. Crossing Skies (4:25)
07. Pulsar B2020+28 (1:32)
08. Xyz (4:07)
09. Origins (3:28)
10. Behind the Mist (8:43)
11. Pulsar Punta Salinas Radar (0:50)
Lineup
Andy / Guitars
Gys / Basses
Marco / Drums