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Ring van Möbius — The 3rd Majesty
(Apollon Records ARP040, 2020, CD / LP / DL)

by Henry Schneider, Published 2021-02-23

Analog purists Ring van Möbius are back with their second album, The 3rd Majesty, chock full of driving Hammond organ and analog synths. For this go round, the power trio Thor Erik Helgesen (vocals, Hammond L100, Spectral Modular Synthesis System, Fender Rhodes, Clavinet D6, and piano), Håvard Rasmussen (Fender Bass VI, Moog Theremin, ring modulator, and Space Echo effects), and Dag Olav Husås (glockenspiel, chimes, timpani, gong, tubular bells, cymbals, drums, and backing vocals) are joined by a string quartet. Much like a similar well known 70s prog rock trio of keyboards, bass, and drums Ring van Möbius composes and plays lengthy opuses incorporating instruments like tubular bells, Theremin, timpani, and a massive modular synthesizer. The opening track “The Seven Movements of the Third Majesty” is 22 minutes of bombastic Hammond organ alternating with quieter interludes, that could have been a lost ELP track from the Tarkus sessions. “Illuminati” is a much shorter track clocking in at around 5½ minutes that combines Hammond organ, vocals, and a majestic cathedral organ climax. Then the whole mood of the album changes with “Distant Sphere.” The first two minutes is the string quartet and vocals, followed by growling Hammond, for a gritty 70s prog sound that rises to a fantastic anti-climax and then closes with the string quartet. On the final track, “The Möbius Ring,” the band downplays their ELP influence in favor of a dark combination of Queen and Black Sabbath that closes with a thundering wall of organ, synths, bass, and drums. This album is a dynamic and nostalgic journey back in time to the 70s. So if you long for those heady ELP days of yore, The 3rd Majesty is for you.

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Filed under: New releases, 2020 releases

Related artist(s): Ring van Möbius

More info
http://ringvanmbius.bandcamp.com/album/the-3rd-majesty

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