Summarisk Suite
Apollon, 2019
9/10
More greatness from Norway, Panzerpappa describe themselves as ‘progressive rock with a friendly face’, and this 7th album brings us more of their avant-garde and instrumental prowess
“Algerisk Symfo” gets the album off to a mysterious start with an ominous setting that segues into thriving prog-rock, and “Belgerisk Impro”, which was improvised, complements the atmosphere well with a cinematic quality with saxophone guiding the way.
Even though there’s just 6 tunes present, they all leave quite an impression, especially the atypical rhythm and driving pace of “Permutert Panzerrock”, though “Revidert Malist” is nothing to spit at either with its strategic bells and haunting melodies. The album ends on “Seriell Ballade”, where sparse keys lead into calculated saxophones and building guitar work that soars in all sorts of complicated and enthralling ways.
The band scrapped an earlier effort to start from scratch for this album, sometimes using old templates and other times building entirely new ones, and it’s clear they made the right choice as Summarisk Suite is vocal-less genius that runs parallel to some of the greatest prog-rock records of all time.
Travels well with: Happy The Man- Crafty Hands; King Crimson- Discipline