ninehertz

It’s good to put some music to a name. Despite releasing their debut a decade ago and a familiarity with their name from gig posters scanned for addition to our Live Dates page, this may be my first listening acquaintance with Newcastle’s Kylver.

The Gobi is their third album but first since 2016 – only a live record appearing in the long interval. Part recorded by Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs guitarist Sam Grant, Kylver have obviously taken their time with this, a bold concept piece around the mythologies of the desert of its name, the extraordinary Dune-esque artwork of a spirit deathworm known as Allghoi-Khorkhoi.

It is quickly clear that they aim for and largely achieve an ambitiously grand amalgamation of prog rock, post-metal and doom, with there being no surprise to find the likes of Opeth and Mastodon listed as influences. They craft long songs with genuine atmosphere, mystical in keeping with their theme. It is skilful, predominantly in the prog rock realm of their armoury but when it branches out I hear some of Elder’s largesse in its broadest strokes.

There are admittedly occasions when it is a little too uneventful, passing by the minutes without change – although this quite probably is my subjective approach to all things prog rather than genuine criticism. There is exploration through the organ and other instruments, and I find myself warming to the style the longer the album goes on.

The Spirit of the Hunt has a more urgent feel to it than the two tracks prior, cool synths positioning this towards sci-fi opera worlds, like a live action Flash Gordon modern remake soundtrack, my favourite track here. Allghoi closes the album – a prog scientist at work, a surreal sensation I feel as if I’m witness to a prog equation being cracked; nice melodic bridges and the slight propulsions forward welcome additions.

The musicianship is unquestionably high, and while I need to find the right mood for this – it’s not an album for all weathers for me at least – it is undoubtedly an excellently conceived and written album that many will find pleasure within its world.