My first encounter with The Aurora Project was at ProgPower Europe, where they put on an impressive performance. I likened their music to Porcupine Tree, Riverside and Pink Floyd. This comparison remains valid for “Shadow Border”, their latest album.
The first thing which struck me about this album was its purity of sound. It flows in a very relaxing way and is skilful without being overly technical. Dennis Binnekade’s vocals, the tone of which sound uncannily like those of Riverside’s Mariusz Duda, stand out on “Shadow Border”. The publicity tells us that there are no “storytellers” but the clean vocals on this wordy Progressive Rock work are prominent and suggest more than just token lyrics. The songs take us into the world of dreams, light and beyond. There is a great deal of instrumental quality but it is understated and subtle. Gentle rock is the order of the day. It’s only on the fourth track “The Confession” that the mood becomes darker, while retaining the now familiar laid back, reflective air. This steady, carefully constructed track takes on an eerie aspect. “Within the Realms” breaks the mould and at one point enticingly combines the spoken voice with a slowed down psychedelic sound before launching into an ethereal Progressive guitar passage. Not for the first time, I could sense the Porcupine Tree influence. The title track concludes the album. Over its 16 minutes, it progresses gently and majestically with a series of long and winding passages. The vocals are as ever reminiscent of Riverside. As I listened to this track, I was reminded of Dave Gilmour’s “Live in Gdansk” and had pictures in my mind of a packed concert hall with a silent crowd reverentially looking on as magical electric guitar sounds build up and play with the senses, but always in a gentle way.
I’d describe The Aurora Project as solid rather than spectacular or ground-breaking. “Shadow Border” flows smoothly like a river, quietly making its way with delicacy and subtlety. Never reactionary or prone to go off at tangents, it is of a high technical quality and bound to please lovers of modern Progressive Rock.
http://www.theauroraproject.com
http://www.myspace.com/auroraproject
http://www.laserserdgegroup.com
