A Spectre Of Sounds
Apollon, 2024
9/10
A founding member of the prog-rock heroes Pymlico, this debut album from Arild Brøter reimagines James Bond’s music with much creativity.
The moody and detailed “Gun Barrel/James Bond Theme Intro” starts the listen with dense electronics, and “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service Suite- Part 1” follows with Bjorn Riis’ flowing guitar acrobatics amid Petter Lien’s well timed trumpet for the prog-rock textures.
Deeper into the affair, “Journey To Blofeld’s Hideaway” is a calmer moment of beauty via Oda Rydning’s well timed glockenspiel and Brøter’s lush guitars and drumming, while “007 Theme” welcomes Are Nerland’s precise bass and Filip Brekke Steigedal’s sturdy trombone alongside much mystery.
Further yet, “We Share The Same Passions” offers a dreamy moment of radiant guitars and soft bass, and “The Final Ascent” exits with Mads Tvinnereim Horn’s meticulous guitar and Tora Mari Bredesen Bjorgeengen’s oboe contributing much to the cinematic grace.
There’s certainly no lack of James Bond inspired albums in existence, but few bypass the title songs and focus on the scores, and Brøter and company turn this approach into highly artistic, instrumental electric rock that you can’t help but admire.
Travels well with: Alwanzatar- Engsyre; Trojka- Strobemørke