Cinematic soundscapes in heavy prog from French artists Could Seed with their thrilling second album Terminal.

CATCHY MELODIES AND LAYERS OF INSTRUMENTATION

We are well accustomed now to a plethora of groups from Scandinavia and Northern Europe showing their musical chops with cinematic soundscapes within the heavy side of Prog. French artists Could Seed fit firmly into this bracket with their thrilling second album Terminal.

It is a relief that we do not have to succumb to 15 minute epics with the two longest tracks clocking in at a manageable, in listening terms, 7 minute mark.

Many elements of this branch of dynamic Prog are in place. Crashing chords, complex percussive rhythms, layers of instrumentation created both physically and digitally. All good stuff indeed for fans of groups like God Is An Astronaut and that fairly well known group of the late 20th century Pink-something-or-other.

Atlas which sets us off, has a catchy and melodic opening in a Canterbury rock style. This bright opening is very appealing but as the percussive time signatures get more intricate the guitars begin to show their muscle. We enjoy a return to the lighter touch with some Rutherfordesque bass mumbling but it builds again and we now know what Could Seed are all about and it is impressive.

MYSTERIOUS AND TRANQUIL

Heracles, has a mysterious eerie opening with some churning guitar continually playing in the background before exploding into some fearsome wild thrash. Another tranquil opening and with added bird calls and screeching is found in Minotature. Light and demonic heavy touches alternate frequently before a majestic melody and minimalistic and light guitar solo also trade places.

As the album evolves into this regularly changing dynamic and tempo it becomes redundant to try and pin them down to a specific genre, as Pangea the other 7 minute track proves. Instrumentally it reminds me of what Wishbone Ash were trying to achieve in their songs, not just blues – not rock n roll – not prog. Druids being the perfect example of this.

COSMIC QUALITY

Orion, as the name suggests, has a cosmic quality but it’s your mind and you can take it where you want..but be quick you’ve only got three minutes but so much is packed into it. Nothing wrong with smaller packages. Early Beatles songs were only a few seconds longer. The hypnotic closing track Oracles is even shorterbut it is an apt end to this stunning collection of picturesque musical pieces.

Only four musicians make up this enticing musical brew of symphonic-like sounds. Dimitri Even and Jordan Jupin on guitars, Thomas Magloire on bass and Élie Chéron on drums. Terminal was recorded and mixed by Jordan Jupin at Studio de la Fuie before being mastered by Thibault Chaumontat Deviant Lab. Whatever vibe they personally evoke you are sure to be enthralled by their instrumental and digital efforts.

Here’s a live in the studio take on Orion:

Could Seed: Bandcamp

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