Dazed #17: Box Of Shamans is more than a quirky name for a prog band

Not too long ago, I discovered a US prog band called Heliopolis (more about them later in a separate entry). They made a very positive impression and when I learned the hilariously named Box Of Shamans is more or less a Heliopolis side project, I wasted no time in getting to hear their recent debut Belief and Illusion.

And it was a good call, too. The album is stylistically varied and yet retains the band's own identity throughout. We get moments of slightly crimsonesque math rock, occasional heavy riffing, pastoral sequences echoing classic 70´s British prog, and even a radio friendly tune in the middle of it all. A lesser band would have made a royal mess of it but B.O.S. keep things under control and somehow manage to build a coherent album that keeps you intrigued and entertained.

The guys in the band are no beginners and the experience shows in not just the high class of playing but also in the willingness to push their musical borders. Belief And Illusion may not be an all-time classic but it's very good prog finely executed. And it comes with cool cover art, too :)

My rating: 4 / 5

Listen to Belief And Illusion on Spotify