New Norwegian prog-rock outfit, ten tracks, with the intro and ‘Reflections’ clocking in under 2:03. Plenty of keyboards, Hammond organ and old fashion piano accompanying the smooth throated vocals. The title track rides a doomy mood. ‘Remorse’ begins with a similarly heavy hand, while ‘Do I Dare’ opts for an Evergrey feel. At times the easy going pace recalls AOR bands of the 70s, say Kansas or even the Eagles: talent, not relentless speed, nor heaviness, but airy rhythms (see mammoth 8:12 ‘Between Black & White’, with its dynamic changes, multiple singers and piano interlude). ‘Torn Apart’, a piece dominated by piano, would be the "ballad" of the bunch. To these ears, only the lengthy, guitar showmanship of ‘Traces Inside’ ventures into the territory of countrymen Pagan’s Mind, which would seem a natural calling card target (but is thankfully all but avoided).

Funny enough Pagan's Mind vocalist Nils Rue did the artwork for the Aspera CD booklet. Small world.