Following the news that drummer Aric Improta had left FEVER 333, last December, the California-based progressive trio, NIGHT VERSES, his side hustle of sorts, announced they would be going to the studio to track some drums under the guidance of studio wizard Will Putney of FIT FOR AN AUTOPSY. Needless to say, the news had all fans of esoteric prog on the edge of their seats. On September 15th, 2023, NIGHT VERSES finally returned from their 5-year hiatus with a new full-length “Every Sound Has A Color in the Valley of Night: Part 1,” released via Equal Vision Records. As the title suggests, it is the first installment of a double album, the latter part of which is due out in early 2024. It was their previous outing “From the Gallery of Sleep” (2018), their first entirely instrumental endeavor and third overall, that introduced me to their kaleidoscopic prog blending soaring postrock-ish crescendos with off-kilter grooves and all sorts of science-fiction-tinged soundscapes. Those few singles that were released ahead of this new album, “Arrival” and “Karma Wheel,” hinted quite prominently that the band would be playing on their old strengths – and when the full treat was eventually available online, longtime fans could instantly recognize their signature quirks: those complex and yet diabolically groovy rhythms, multi-layered soundscapes, and fractally evolving riffs.
Released as the first teaser off the album, “Arrival” traverses familiar terrain, at least for those who are well acquainted with the band’s surrealist conduct; driven by frantic guitar fractals that are slightly reminiscent of, say, SAFETY FIRE, the song could serve as the perfect example of the band’s signature craft. Uptempo riffathons, such as this, are something these proggers particularly excel at. Then again, slower tempos aren’t a weak point for this bunch either; “Love In A Liminal Space” balances between mid-tempo arpeggios and ambient sections and is one of the most haunting tracks on the outing. Upon the release of the first single, the band announced that, while writing these songs, they tried to emulate the kind of feeling you get when driving through the desert. If you really put your ear to it, you can get that type of vibe from the album: the faster bangers feel as though you are speeding down the desert highway, while the slower tracks convey the feeling of having pulled over to appreciate the scenery.
Both installments of this double treat feature interesting guests. The sequel to be released next year will feature INCUBUS frontman Brandon Boyd and Anthony Green of CIRCA SURVIVE, suggesting that some tracks will feature vocals as well. On this first installment, the album closer features TOOL bassist Justin Chancellor. In a way, TOOL could be considered some sort of inspiration or at least a kindred spirit to this wild bunch; both acts have developed a knack for constructing highly intoxicating soundscapes of progressive and cinematic kinds. While NIGHT VERSES sports a robust undercurrent of post-rock, I think Improta‘s virtuosic drumming is something that sets this band quite far apart from the standard post-rock aesthetic and closer to the prog-metal fraternity. The band has crafted a sound of their own, one that is devilishly hard to put a label on, which is always a fine quality in a band! Some of the riffs taste like math-rock à la TOE, then some of the post-rock crescendos trigger flashbacks of bands such as GOD IS AN ASTRONAUT, IF THESE TREES COULD TALK, or EXPLOSIONS IN THE SKY. At its heaviest, on “Karma Wheel,” the album nods almost toward sludgey post-metal. To me, this sort of diversity is a huge part of the band’s appeal – something that sets NIGHT VERSES quite rightfully at the forefront of progressive music.
Prog aficionados have been treated to a feast of quality releases this year, with new albums coming out from HAKEN, SOEN, and most recently TESSERACT. This long-awaited treat from the NIGHT VERSES camp joins this pantheon with flying colors. It is starting to look a lot like my Best Albums of 2023 list will be entirely comprised of prog albums. It’s just that, if this streak keeps on continuing, to single out the best of them will be a tough call – as if it weren’t already. One thing is damn sure, though – “Every Sound Has A Color in the Valley of Night: Part 1” will be included in the Top 5!
Written by Jani Lehtinen
Tracklist
- 8 Gates of Pleasure
- Arrival
- Rose Wire
- Karma Wheel
- Love in a Liminal Space
- Bound to You
- Séance feat. Justin Chancellor
Lineup
Nick DePirro – guitars
Reilly Herrera – bass
Aric Improta – drums
Label
Equal Vision Records
Links
https://www.equalvision.com/artists/night-verses/
