Oxcart - Beekeeper Constellation (Independent)
You’ll need to approach “Beekeeper Constellation” with an open mind, especially as opening track “Drawbridge” leads off into grand ‘Romanesque’ territory, and in my mind’s eye I can see the Anthony’s Quinn and Quail on monolithic steps, in their togas and sandals. Indeed, a weird beginning, although the whole thing (well, I’m still not sure about this opening track) benefits from repeated listening; a bit of a grower, then.

So, what we have here is an extremely melodic set of ten (metal?) songs, just stretching into 50 minutes and at times back to the 1970s. Or is it too AOR shiny, too much Queen and not enough Sabbath? This really could go either way, especially when you add the Pink Floyd influenced “Possum” to the mix. At just a smidge over four minutes I thought at first that this was too brief a number to qualify for Floyd stature, but “Nationalism Anthem” takes over immediately, and there’s more Pink Floyd in this than you can imagine, until, that is, a heavier, Deep Purple(sque) vibe interrupts proceedings, and takes over. When the title track comes, it features keyboards a little more strongly than on previous numbers, and to good effect.

The star turn here, though, is saved until last. “Speakeasy” is a giant, sprawling nine-minute track, with moody voice, insistent guitar and a very tight rhythm section, falling away for the last couple of minutes so that the spoken word, and smooth keyboards again, have their moment, too.

Not heavy metal, that's pretty certain, so I’ll plump for prog metal. And remember - give it a chance! 
www.oxcartmusic.net

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