Kasper Rosa – ‘Icebreaker’

It may seem somewhat of anomaly, in these days of internet downloads, for a band to release a good old-fashioned ‘Double A Side’ – especially when said release is only be made available in digital format and not pressed to ye olde plastic.  But, that’s what Belfast progressive post-rock quartet Kasper Rosa have gone and done with this pair of tunes.

‘Icebreaker’ is a blend of ambient psychedelia mixed with cascading melodies and coupled with interjections of jarring guitars, topped off with driftaway choral vocals, in a style which lies somewhere between Porcupine Tree, Spock’s Beard and Opeth, with passing nods to the heaviness of Mastodon, especially on the drum and guitar patterns on ‘Khora’.

The two songs are beautifully constructed, and the collective performances are hypnotic, aided by a great production, which accentuates the underlying beauty of the songs while also building up their more intense moments to perfect effect.

[9.5/10]

Track list:

1. Khora
2. Fires Of Great Ships

‘Icebreaker’ is available for download from http://kasperrosa.bandcamp.com/album/icebreaker.  It will be officially launched at RADAR in Belfast on Thursday February 28^th and at the Workman’s Club in Dublin on Friday (March 1^st).  Kasper Rosa then undertake a full 20-date UK and Ireland tour, starting in Glasgow on Friday March 22^nd and finishing back in Belfast on Saturday April 13^th.  For full details of all dates visit http://www.facebook.com/kasperrosa