Apollon Records Prog
Moonsoon, a progressive rock band from Bergen, are releasing their debut album «East of Asteroid», a work which blends art-rock and neo-prog. Helge Nyheim, a drummer, vocalist, and artist from Bergen, is the driving force behind Moonsoon, while Daniel Hauge, co-songwriter, producer, and arranger, has also been instrumental in shaping the album’s direction.
The album kicks off with the upbeat, fast-paced «Virtual Avenue», containing a catchy keyboard riff backed by guitars, and then peaks early, with the highlight of the record, the immersive «Rays of Cosmic Embers», which contains atmospheric traces of Tangerine Dream. Then, the Pink Floyd influences dominate the sound. «Crack Our Codes» shows more attitude from the vocals and has a catchy groove, introduced by an imaginative «prologue». «The Nasty Man» has moments that sound influenced by Floyd’s «The Division Bell» and «The Wall» (the mid section of «Hey You» in particular), and contains not just a «prologue» but also an amusingly titled «Epic-logue». Some fans of Pink Floyd will appreciate the Gilmourish guitar solos. There are also emotive saxophone solos throughout the record, and a special guest appearance from Ian Ritchie, a saxophonist and flutist who has worked with Roger Waters of Pink Floyd, and was the producer on Waters’ Radio K.A.O.S. «Ones and Zeroes» has a wordless female vocal that channels «The Great Gig in the Sky». This album wears its influences on its sleeve.
It’s easy to imagine Moonsoon would be well received at We Låve Rock festival. This is music that should be played live. A band to watch, even if they are reinventing the wheel / The Wall.
4/6 / Anne-Marie Forker
Release date: 2 May 2025
