Thank you so much, Billy Yfantis, for this fantastic review of C.O.R.E. !!
Here is the entire review, reprinted in full below:
“Circuline’s album C.O.R.E. is an exciting journey through the sounds of current progressive rock, combining complicated musicianship with an in-depth respect for the genre’s origins. The album, which has eight tracks, illustrates the band’s ability to combine technical brightness with emotional depth, providing listeners with a musically diverse and artistically challenging experience. Here is a short review of every track:
Tempus Horribilis: The album’s first track, “Tempus Horribilis,” has dreamy synth pads similar to Ozric Tentacles. The production quality is excellent, resulting in a deep, realistic soundtrack with each element distinct. The sophisticated orchestration, which is clearly visible in the mix, is enhanced by Moog noises and a strong bass line. The vocal lines echo the spirit of 1970s Yes, particularly the Close to the Edge period, establishing the groundwork for a pleasant and delightful travel through today’s progressive rock terrain.
Third Rail: Beginning with a gentle interplay of piano and violins, “Third Rail” takes the listener into a ballad mood. Although the Yes influence persists, this music tends toward an emotionally charged song with powerful vocals. While complicated, the music encourages further interaction, providing a musical journey that is meditative and sophisticated.
Say Their Name: This tune uses ethereal synth pads and classical guitar to create a dreamy atmosphere. The strong usage of piano contributes to the ballad’s 1970s inspiration, including additional influences from bands such as Renaissance. The track’s peak is the sudden break at 3:19, when military percussion unexpectedly halts the dream, only to be followed by a prog-infused wrath that is exciting.
All: Beginning with a strong bass line, “All” features the band’s distinctive complicated orchestration. The ethereal nature of the synthesizers goes back to early Marillion, proving Circuline’s commitment to carrying the progressive rock torch with enthusiasm and accuracy.
Temporal Thing: The tune “Temporal Thing” begins with acoustic guitar virtuosity and merges jazz and prog elements to create an emotional ballad. The song stands out for its smooth shifts in pace, scale, and mood, showing the band’s variety and musical depth.
You: “You” adds a contemporary touch to the record, with an electric guitar riff inspired by Tool. The orchestration is heavier here, yet it still keeps an enigmatic and mysterious quality, proving the band’s talent to marry conventional prog components with up-to-date sounds.
Blindside: Beginning with a calm piano, “Blindside” offers a lyrical relief with a folk flavor from its acoustic guitar sections. Despite the gentler tone, prog elements remain, resulting in a lovely ballad that adds depth and variety to the record.
Transmission Error: The album concludes with “Transmission Error,” an outstanding prog piece that reflects Dream Theater’s technical genius. The complex guitar work and jazzy rhythms are well balanced by futuristic synth lines, resulting in a multi-layered piece that epitomizes serious progressive rock.
Each track provides a unique experience, ranging from the dreamy and ethereal to the technically challenging and emotionally powerful. The band’s ability to combine the old and new, paying respect to the genre’s greats while establishing their own path, establishing this album a must-listen for anybody interested in the “progression” of progressive rock.”
An addition, Billy personally wrote this to Circuline bandleader Andrew Colyer: “I was listening to your album with headphones so as to understand the sound of the album and the technical details. You have done an amazing work, especially regarding the mix and mastering! In terms of orchestration, the album is like watching an adventure movie as you do not know what comes up next! Congrats man, you are one of the few people around that keeps releasing professional Prog music.”
Billy – we can’t thank you enough for these kind words.