Suffering the meaty bloat of a double disk, lengthy escapade, Vox Humana reaches far. Seeking heavens, with spirit and inspiration guiding, this juggernaut weighs upon itself. As a progressive beast, lunging from epic to epic, its diverse aspirations forge wild strings of temperaments and intensities. Reliving the classic tropes of Progressive Rock, flirting with performative theater, a dynamic metallic energy and even shivers of crude Dubstep wobbles on path, a cluster bomb of ideas explode upon the listener.
Individually, lofty, grandiose themes excels, triumphant roars and gratifying peaks are navigated among an arsenal of instruments keen to show their harmony. Collectively, a broad meandering is endured with no ending in sight. Lacking an arc, a sense of overall direction, its climaxes, dramatic twists and turns, roll of the treadmill linked, a free formation running against its own current. At least that has been my experience.
Despite a sense of disorientation stumbling through the hurdles of its musical might, Vox Humana is littered with gratifying sways into exalted emotive swoons. So often do its musky, gentle lulls erupt, illuminated by surging musical powers. The persuasion of momentous riffs, engulfing dancing melodies and all to often, Shelby Warne's voice, assailing all, Kyros land their adventurous ships ashore upon treasured beaches.
On examination, a culprit emerges, its linking elements. Intensity down-turns, drives into obscurity and the general breeziness between storms lacks charm felt elsewhere. Its where meandering looses attention and the swells of excellence are lost in its over ambitious nature. But the ambition is clear, leading to regular contagions of brilliance.
To my mind, Vox Humana sounds out of ears to its audience, a group of musicians exacting their will, uncompromising in their vision. As an observer, indulges into odd and experimental directions frequently break its flow. Clearly excellence is abundant, with many a satisfying moment along the way. Its peaks show this to be true but the journey? A rocky one in terms of holding over interest and attention.
Rating: 7/10