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EXCLUSIVE PREMIERE: Listen As Kepler Ten Go “Ultraviolet”

It’s no secret by now that I have a sweet tooth when it comes to my progressive metal. There’s something so freeing in complex music which manages to

7 years ago

It’s no secret by now that I have a sweet tooth when it comes to my progressive metal. There’s something so freeing in complex music which manages to blend its pretenses with honest, almost naive, joy. Last year, we got the beautiful Affinity from Haken, as perfect an example of the style as we’re likely to get. Luckily, there are other bands operating within these parameters, making music that’s interesting to listen to but also fun. Case in point: Kepler Ten and their upcoming Delta-V, which we’ll be reviewing in…four hours? For now, we have an exclusive premiere of the first track on the album and one of the best examples of why I love the record. Head on down below to check it out!

“Ultraviolet” is a bundle of joy. It exemplifies the things that I love the most about the album; it has a huge chorus, prominent bass and rich synths (all performed by James Durand) and a distinctly 80’s vibe emanating from the guitars. Structurally, it eschews complexity for a verse-chorus-verse plot and you know what? It’s the right choice. The straight-forward lay out enhances how catchy the track is and helps us guide along its dense and emotionally evocative themes. The band have similar things to say about their goal with this track and, indeed the entire album:

Lyrically there are two main themes that are woven throughout the album. The first is the sun which effectively bookends Delta-v. The opening track – Ultraviolet begins with the sound of the rising sun breaking the horizon and beginning a brand new day. The track goes on to talk about the overwhelming power of our star and the dependency of every living thing on Earth upon it.

Musically we try to create each soundtrack to tell its story in an interesting way, have depth and colour in its arrangements but also to remain catchy. We are trying to play an elusive kind of ‘quantum prog’. Music that simultaneously exists in both a prog and non-prog state. Songs that you can rock out to without noticing the unusual time signature changes, yet on closer inspection can appreciate the complexities and artistic freedom of progressive rock. Hopefully we’re getting close to this with Delta-v.

Music that simultaneously exists in both a prog and non-prog state”. Well bloody said, if I may so myself. Keep your eyes out for our review later today which expands and analyzes exactly how Kepler Ten achieve this and, of course, for the album itself, releasing on the 10th of February. You can head on over here to pre-order it!

Eden Kupermintz

Published 7 years ago