Band : Arc Of Ascent
Album Title : Circle Of The Sun
Label : Astral Projection
Distributor :
Release Date : 2010
Review : CD

Craig Williamson disbanded heavy riff rock outfit Datura from New Zealand, due to personal and musical differences with the other bandmates. Arc Of Ascent is Craig’s new shoot-around as band leader and the mix of two new players John Strange (Drums) and Matt Cole-Baker (Guitars) has clearly re-energized Williamson (Bass, Vocals, Sitar, Tanpura, Saz, Keyboards, Syths, Bells, Space Guitar), leading to as potent and powerful collection of compositions as has ever been featured under the Datura name. Those who've heard the two albums Allisone and Visions for the Celestial before will pretty much know what to expect here. Each of the six long songs (6-10minutes) is an adventure in cosmic rock, featuring spacey arrangements and the vibe in question is Spine Of God-era Monster Magnet, Sabbath, Novadriver, Hawkwind, Sleep :  qualities which can't be faked, and which Arc Of Ascent’s music possesses in ampleness. The band is tight and spot-on in every respect. Craig has a voice perfectly tailored to this sort of business. Rhythms that drag you into their orbit and refuse to let go, melody lines that carry you through their catchy sludgy paces without question. In terms of highlight tracks, it'll probably be a case of each to their own, but the first two tracks are an awesome opening duo.

Craig Williamson is back with a big bang and we all get to enjoy it.

94/100

Cosmicmasseur.