Zopp is a band from Nottingham, UK that plays Progressive Rock sounds inspired by the Canterbury scene and with forays into Jazz and Avant Rock. Their sophomore album “Dominion” was released on February 03, 2023 via Flat Circle Records and contains 7 tracks including an epic suite over 14 and one over 10 minutes long. In addition to multi-instrumentalist Ryan W Stevenson and drummer Andrea Moneta, 7 guests on vocals, horns and additional gongs and cymbals take part in the album. The opening track “Amor Fati” is a short two-minute intro that immediately immerses us in the atmosphere of the album. The band’s imprinting and musical style are immediately evident, with continuous tempo changes and intertwining of keyboards and horns, with a choral vocal, ending with organ and synth. The following “You” lasting over 10 minutes opens with a repeated piano note and hammond organ. After an introductory nituo and 30, the energetic and elaborate rhythm section enters, enriched with tempo changes, and the band begins to develop the theme. The keyboards are in great evidence, with strong references to the sounds of the 70s, proposed with a modern and personal style. It is more classic Progressive Rock, with a warm and expressive vocal that intensely interprets the lyrics. In the middle part, the horns are added, which intertwine perfectly with the keyboards in a continuous alternation of singing and instrumental parts of absolute value. The more avant-garde component of their sound gives way to a more progressive sound, showing how the band is adept at proposing different genres and styles, always maintaining a very high quality. “Bushnell Keeler” shows the Canterbury side of the band, interweaving horns and keyboards that offer the classic sounds of the genre with a modern twist. A song with engaging melodies, with keyboards and horns intertwining and alternating in the solo parts. The rhythm section is solid and elaborate, with a killer bassline and very sophisticated drumming with fine, well-structured tempo changes. The intensity increases as the minutes go by, adding a heavy touch in the second part of the track, with the drums accelerating in the finale thanks to the double pedal, bringing the track to a crescendo. A peculiar, Avant-Garde Rock sounding track “Uppmärksamhet” moves slowly with deep, dark atmospheres created by keyboards. The sounds are dilated, with acoustic guitar arpeggios entering in the middle part and electric guitar solo inserts in the finale. The rhythm section is characterised by minimal drumming and deep bass notes joining the keyboards create a dark and penetrating atmosphere. Intricate and drawn-out “Reality Tunnels” develops between Prog and Jazzy traits, with a distinctly retro imprint and keyboards prominently displayed, recalling the masters of the genre. The tempo changes are one of the song’s hallmarks, the energetic and solid drumming and the load-bearing bass lines giving body to the track. The numerous keyboards are free to offer technical and virtuosic solo cues, alternating with electric guitar inserts, an excellent meeting point between the sounds of bands like ELP and the Canterbury Scene, thanks to their personal touch. “Wetiko Approaching” is the shortest track on the disc, at two minutes long, opening with a dynamic and expressive vocal. The first part is an interweaving of Prog and Avant-Garde, while in the second part the band explores keyboard sounds with a distinctly Experimental touch and then closes. The final track on the album is an epic over 14 minutes long entitled “Toxicity,” and it starts strong right away with a solid and elaborate rhythm section. The vocals are very dynamic and melodic at times, while the keyboards take center stage in both melodies and solo parts. The long duration of the song is exploited to enhance both the compositional and performance technique of the band, developing the theme with passages and textures of absolute value. Energetic and engaging, rhythmic and full of tempo changes and virtuosity, it leaves us wanting to listen to the album many more times in the future. This band confirms what was good heard on the debut album, raising the quality even higher in both composition and performance. The blend of Progressive Rock, Avant-Garde and Canterbury is also well accomplished thanks to the band’s personal and unmistakable touch. Original, fresh and modern, managing to bring the atmospheres of the masters of the 1970s into a current context thanks to the band’s personal touch. A recommended listen for lovers of the more elaborate sounds of Prog, with forays into Canterbury, Avant-Rock and Jazz, one of the best listens made so far in 2023.
Tracklist
01. Amor Fati (02:10)
02. You (10:56)
03. Bushnell Keeler (05:06)
04. Uppmärksamhet (03:13)
05. Reality Tunnels (04:11)
06. Wetiko Approaching (01:59)
07. Toxicity (14:21)
Lineup
Ryan W Stevenson / Hammond Organ, Mellotron, Hohner Pianet, Piano, Electric Pianos, Acoustic and Electric Guitars, Bass Guitar, Vocals, Korg MS20, Synthesizers, Percussion, Flute, Field Recordings, Sound Design
Andrea Moneta / Drums and Cymbals
With:
Sally Minnear / Voice (1)
Caroline Joy Clarke / Voice (1,2,7)
Jørgen Munkeby (Shining NO) / Tenor Sax and Flute (7)
Mike Benson / Tenor Sax (2)
Rob Milne / Tenor Sax and Flute (7)
Tomás Figueiredo / French Horn (1)
Joe Burns / Gong and Additional Cymbals (7)